Microcontroller controlling own power supply

I am working on an application with a PIC24 and EEPROM. I'd like to be able to turn it off (more than just sleep) since it won't be used for long periods of time. The problem is that I don't want to turn it off during the middle of an EEPROM write.

I thought about an N-Channel MOSFET across the power switch (switch in ground leg) controlled by an output port. I can control the MOSFET, but as soon as power goes away, the output pin floats enough to keep the power switch on.

How is this kind of thing usually done? Solid state relay? Some other way?

Thanks!

There was a thread on here about this about 3 months ago...

I remember reading it...

I remember reading it, but couldn't find it today after searching...

Use Google's Advanced Search mode to search just this domain name. The built-in search here sucks.

The thread is probably https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/push-button-on-off-power-to-pic.19903/

Personally I'd just use the sleep mode and control power to any peripheral devices (e.g. your eeprom) with the pic pins. What's the leakage current of an average MOSFET? Maybe as much as the PIC in sleep mode?

I tend to agree on the current usage...

...as long as the device stays sleeping. I'm more worried about a button being hit when or held down when not in use (it can't always just sit on a shelf) so I want to make sure it doesn't wake up.

Thanks!

Brad