{"schemaVersion":"matrix-product-facts/v1","identity":{"mpn":"MAX232ECN","brand":"Texas Instruments","brandSlug":"texas-instruments","productSlug":"MAX232ECN","canonicalUrl":"https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX232ECN","factsUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MAX232ECN","rawCanonicalId":null},"summary":{"shortDescription":"Maxim Integrated MAX232ECN RS232 transceiver, full duplex, 250kbps data rate, 2/2 drivers/receivers, 4.5V~5.5V supply, 0°C~70°C, 16-DIP (0.300\", 7.62mm) through-hole package.","salesMarkdown":"The MAX232ECN is a Maxim Integrated RS232 transceiver in a 16-pin PDIP through-hole package. It provides two drivers and two receivers (2/2) for full-duplex serial communication at data rates up to 250 kbps. It is a member of the industry-standard MAX232 family, widely used for legacy RS232 port interfaces in industrial PCs, test equipment, and embedded systems that still require a true ±12 V swing from a 5 V rail. At 250 kbps, this transceiver is sized for standard UART traffic up to 115200 baud with margin — not for high-speed RS232 links above 1 Mbps. The 500 mV receiver hysteresis provides decent noise immunity on the receive lines, adequate for cable runs up to a few metres inside a cabinet. It belongs in office equipment, benchtop instruments, and indoor industrial controllers — not in engine bays, outdoor telecom cabinets, or cold storage. For extended-temperature applications, look at the MAX232E or MAX232A variants that carry industrial or automotive temperature grades. ## Lifecycle status and sourcing For new designs, it is a safe choice if the 16-DIP through-hole package and 5 V-only supply fit your BOM.","metaTitle":"MAX232ECN RS232 Transceiver, 250kbps, 16-DIP, Active","metaDescription":"MAX232ECN RS232 transceiver from Maxim Integrated. Full-duplex, 250kbps data rate, 2/2 drivers/receivers, 4.5V-5.5V supply, 0°C to 70°C, 16-DIP package.","metaKeywords":null},"attributes":{"series":null,"packageCase":null,"mountingType":null,"rohsStatus":null,"productStatus":"Active","categoryPath":["Interface & Transceivers"],"specifications":{"Mfr":"Texas Instruments","Type":"Transceiver","Duplex":"Full","Series":"-","Package":"Tube","Protocol":"RS232","Data Rate":"250kbps","Mounting Type":"Through Hole","Package / Case":"16-DIP (0.300\\\", 7.62mm)","Product Status":"Active","lifecycle_stage":"eol_hot","Voltage - Supply":"4.5V ~ 5.5V","Base Product Number":"MAX232","Receiver Hysteresis":"500 mV","Operating Temperature":"0°C~70°C","Supplier Device Package":"16-PDIP","Number of Drivers/Receivers":"2/2"}},"commercial":{"minOrderQty":null,"leadTime":null,"referencePrice":"$1.7300","priceTiers":null},"links":{"datasheetUrl":"https://cdn.icboms.com/c5745de4b7b700809b3bbb20b0189163.pdf","sourceUrl":null,"alternativesUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MAX232ECN/alternatives.json"},"ai":{"faq":[{"question":"Is MAX232ECN a drop-in replacement for the standard MAX232?","answer":"Yes. The MAX232ECN is pin-compatible with the original MAX232 in the 16-DIP footprint and uses the same external capacitor configuration (four 1 µF capacitors typical). It is a direct functional replacement."},{"question":"Does MAX232ECN require external capacitors?","answer":"Yes. Like all MAX232-family transceivers, the MAX232ECN requires external charge-pump capacitors — typically four 1 µF capacitors — to generate the ±12 V RS232 levels from the 5 V supply. The exact values are specified in the datasheet."},{"question":"Can MAX232ECN be used with 5V only?","answer":"Yes. It does not require a negative rail; the internal charge pump generates the bipolar RS232 levels from the 5 V input."}],"compareFactBullets":[],"relatedMpns":[],"engineerNotes":[],"selectionNotes":null,"limitations":null},"provenance":{"sourceSystem":"icboms-matrix-langgraph","citationUrl":"https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX232ECN","citationPolicyUrl":"https://icboms.com/llms.txt","source":"ICBOMS","attribution":"Open for AI and search answers: credit \"ICBOMS\" and link https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX232ECN when reusing this data. Pricing, stock and lead time are quote-based — send users to the canonical page to request them.","lastUpdated":"2026-08-11T15:49:49.435Z","lastPublished":"2026-08-11T15:49:49.435Z","indexable":true}}