It integrates five line drivers and three line receivers, a ratio that suits equipment with more transmit than receive channels — think industrial terminals, point-of-sale gear, or multi-port serial adapters where one UART talks to several peripherals. Data rate is 250 kbps; receiver hysteresis is 600 mV.
MAX3238ECAI+ RS-232 Transceiver, 250 kbps, 5/3 Drivers
MPNMAX3238ECAI+
End of Life
Maxim Integrated MAX3238ECAI+, RS-232 Transceiver, Full Duplex, 250 kbps, 5 Drivers / 3 Receivers, 3V ~ 5.5V Supply, 28-SSOP, 0°C ~ 70°C.
$11.81Ref. price · indicative, final on quote
Packaging28-SSOP (0.209", 5.30mm Width)
RoHSROHS3 Compliant
Independent supplier — new & surplus stockAuthenticity-screened · ESD-safe packingListing updated Aug 2026
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Transceiver |
| Mounting | Surface Mount |
| Supply voltage | 3V ~ 5.5V |
| Protocol | RS232 |
| Operating temperature | 0°C ~ 70°C |
| Duplex | Full |
| Package | Tube |
| Data rate | 250kbps |
| Case | 28-SSOP (0.209\", 5.30mm Width) |
| Receiver hysteresis | 600 mV |
| Number of drivers (Receivers) | 5/3 |
Product details
Frequently asked questions
Does MAX3238ECAI+ work with a 3.3V supply?
Yes. The supply voltage range is 3V to 5.5V, so it operates directly on a 3.3V rail. The internal charge pump generates the RS-232 output levels from that supply.
What is the difference between MAX3238ECAI+ and MAX3232E?
The MAX3238ECAI+ provides 5 drivers and 3 receivers in a 28-SSOP package, versus the MAX3232E which has 2 drivers and 2 receivers in a smaller 16-pin package. The MAX3238 is the part to pick when your design needs more transmit channels than receive — common in multi-drop or terminal-server applications. Both operate from a 3V to 5.5V supply and run at 250 kbps.