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Texas Instruments MAX232NSR — Interface & Transceivers

MAX232NSR RS-232 Transceiver, 120 kbps, 16-SOIC, Active

MPNMAX232NSR
Active

Texas Instruments MAX232NSR, RS232 Transceiver, Full Duplex, 2/2 Drivers/Receivers, 120Kbps, 4.5V~5.5V Supply, 16-SOIC, 0°C~70°C.

$1.6600Ref. price · indicative, final on quote
Texas Instruments MAX232NSR datasheet (PDF)
Independent supplier — new & surplus stockAuthenticity-screened · ESD-safe packingListing updated Aug 2026

Specifications

MAX232NSR specifications
ParameterValue
TypeTransceiver
MountingSurface Mount
Supply voltage4.5V ~ 5.5V
ProtocolRS232
Operating temperature0°C~70°C
DuplexFull
PackageTape & Reel (TR); Cut Tape (CT)
Data rate120Kbps
Case16-SOIC (0.209\", 5.30mm Width)
Receiver hysteresis500 mV
Number of drivers (Receivers)2/2

Product details

It converts 5V logic-level signals to RS-232 voltage levels and back, handling data rates up to 120 kbps.

At 120 kbps, this transceiver is fast enough for standard RS-232 communication at 9600, 19200, or 115200 baud — the typical speeds for terminal interfaces, PLCs, and barcode scanners. It will not support higher-speed protocols like RS-422 at multi-megabit rates, so if your link needs to push past 1 Mbps, you are looking at a different transceiver family. The 500 mV receiver hysteresis cleans up noisy lines, which helps in industrial environments where cable runs pick up interference.

Frequently asked questions

Can MAX232NSR replace an older MAX232N?

The MAX232NSR is a surface-mount (16-SOIC) variant of the classic MAX232 family. It is functionally identical to the MAX232N in terms of drivers, receivers, data rate, and supply voltage, but the MAX232N comes in a DIP package. If your board uses a 16-SOIC footprint, the MAX232NSR is a drop-in replacement; if you need a DIP, you would use the MAX232N instead.

Does MAX232NSR require external capacitors?

Yes, like all MAX232-family transceivers, the MAX232NSR requires external charge-pump capacitors (typically four 1 µF capacitors) to generate the RS-232 voltage levels. The exact values and configuration are specified in the datasheet application circuit.

What is the maximum data rate of MAX232NSR?

The MAX232NSR is rated for a maximum data rate of 120 kbps, which covers standard RS-232 baud rates up to 115200 baud.