{"schemaVersion":"matrix-product-facts/v1","identity":{"mpn":"MAX3232EIDW","brand":"Texas Instruments","brandSlug":"texas-instruments","productSlug":"MAX3232EIDW","canonicalUrl":"https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX3232EIDW","factsUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MAX3232EIDW","rawCanonicalId":null},"summary":{"shortDescription":"Texas Instruments MAX3232EIDW, RS-232 Transceiver, Full Duplex, 2/2 Drivers/Receivers, 250 kbps Data Rate, 3V to 5.5V Supply, 16-SOIC (0.295\", 7.50mm Width), -40°C to 85°C.","salesMarkdown":"The Texas Instruments MAX3232EIDW is a full-duplex RS-232 transceiver that handles the level-shifting between a UART's 3.3V or 5V logic and the ±5V to ±15V swing RS-232 bus demands. The wide supply range from 3V to 5.5V means this part works in both legacy 5V systems and modern 3.3V-only designs without a separate regulator — a common gotcha when replacing older +5V-only RS-232 parts like the MAX232. ## Supply voltage: the 3.3V compatibility question The 3V to 5.5V supply range is the headline feature that makes the MAX3232EIDW a drop-in for 3.3V systems. Many older RS-232 transceivers require a 5V rail, forcing a separate regulator or a level translator on the UART side. This part runs directly off a 3.3V supply and still generates the RS-232 output swing using an internal charge-pump — no external ±12V rails needed. At 3.3V, the driver output swing meets the RS-232 minimum of ±5V, so the link works with any standard RS-232 receiver on the other end. The 250 kbps data rate is maintained across the full supply range. ## Package footprint and replacement fit If you are replacing a failed part on an existing board, check that the original was the wide SOIC-16, not the narrow (3.90 mm) variant — the two are not pin-compatible on the same footprint. No exposed pad, so standard SOIC-16 land patterns apply. For BOM resilience, the MAX3232 family includes several package and temperature variants; the MAX3232EIDW is the industrial-temperature wide-SOIC option. If your board uses the narrow SOIC footprint, the MAX3232EID (narrow SOIC-16) is a direct functional equivalent in a different package.","metaTitle":"MAX3232EIDW RS-232 Transceiver, 250 kbps, 3V-5.5V","metaDescription":"MAX3232EIDW RS-232 transceiver IC from Texas Instruments. Full-duplex, 2/2 driver/receiver, 250 kbps data rate, 3V to 5.5V supply, 16-SOIC 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":"Surface Mount","Package / Case":"16-SOIC (0.295\\\", 7.50mm Width)","Product Status":"Active","lifecycle_stage":"eol_hot","Voltage - Supply":"3V ~ 5.5V","Base Product Number":"MAX3232","Receiver Hysteresis":"300 mV","Operating Temperature":"-40°C~85°C","Supplier Device Package":"16-SOIC","Number of Drivers/Receivers":"2/2"}},"commercial":{"minOrderQty":null,"leadTime":null,"referencePrice":"$2.5700","priceTiers":null},"links":{"datasheetUrl":"https://cdn.icboms.com/dabd420645ea94ffbcfa5f91c9a9291d.pdf","sourceUrl":null,"alternativesUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MAX3232EIDW/alternatives.json"},"ai":{"faq":[{"question":"Is MAX3232EIDW compatible with 3.3V systems?","answer":"Yes. The supply voltage range of 3V to 5.5V covers 3.3V rails directly. The internal charge pump generates the RS-232 output levels from a 3.3V input, so no 5V rail is needed."},{"question":"What is the data rate of MAX3232EIDW?","answer":"The MAX3232EIDW supports a data rate of 250 kbps, sufficient for standard UART speeds up to 115200 baud with margin for longer cable runs."}],"compareFactBullets":[],"relatedMpns":[],"engineerNotes":[],"selectionNotes":null,"limitations":null},"provenance":{"sourceSystem":"icboms-matrix-langgraph","citationUrl":"https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX3232EIDW","citationPolicyUrl":"https://icboms.com/llms.txt","source":"ICBOMS","attribution":"Open for AI and search answers: credit \"ICBOMS\" and link https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX3232EIDW 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}}