RS-232 transceiver with 250 kbps throughput — what the data rate means for your serial link
It handles serial data at 250 kbps, which is the standard rate for legacy RS-232 ports on industrial controllers, point-of-sale terminals, and telecom equipment — fast enough for most UART-based communication but not suited for high-speed synchronous protocols.
5 V supply rail — not a 3.3 V part
The charge-pump circuitry inside generates the RS-232 voltage levels (±5 V to ±15 V typical) from the single 5 V input, eliminating the need for a separate ±12 V supply — a design convenience that made the MAX232 family a de facto standard for decades.
New designs should not use this part. For existing BOM lines, the only sourcing channel is the independent distribution market — surplus inventory, new-old-stock, or broker-sourced material. No stock or lead-time number can be stated here because each procurement lot is sourced individually.