It converts 5 V logic-level signals to RS-232 voltage levels and back, handling data rates up to 120 kbps. The receiver hysteresis of 500 mV provides noise immunity on the serial line. This is the classic MAX232 architecture — charge-pump capacitors generate the ±10 V swing from a single 5 V supply, so no additional ±12 V rails are needed.
5 V supply only — no 3.3 V operation
This part does not support 3.3 V operation. The charge-pump requires the 5 V input to generate the RS-232 output levels; running below 4.5 V will not produce valid ±5 V minimum output swing.
It reworks cleanly under hot air — the leads are exposed and easy to inspect. No hidden thermal pad or exposed paddle, so a standard SOIC-16 land pattern works.