MAX232E is a dual driver/receiver with IEC61000-4-2 protection that meets or exceeds TIA/RS-232-F and ITU Recommendation V.28. It operates from a single 5V power supply with 1.0μF charge-pump capacitors and can operate up to 120 kbit/s. It includes two drivers and two receivers with low supply current and ESD protection for RS-232 bus pins.
The MAX232E integrates two drivers and two receivers with a capacitive voltage generator to provide RS‑232 voltage levels from a single 5‑V supply. Each driver converts TTL/CMOS inputs to RS‑232 levels, while each receiver converts RS‑232 inputs to 5‑V TTL/CMOS levels and can accept up to +30 V inputs.
The device includes robust ESD protection (+15 kV HBM, +8 kV IEC61000‑4‑2 contact, +15 kV IEC61000‑4‑2 air‑gap) and operates up to 120 kbit/s with typical supply current of 8 mA. Detailed electrical characteristics, absolute maximum ratings, and mechanical data are provided in the datasheet.
| Supply voltage range (VCC) | 4.5 V – 5.5 V (typical), –0.3 V – 6 V (absolute max) |
|---|---|
| High‑level input voltage (DIN) | 2 V |
| Receiver input voltage rating | +30 V |
| Typical supply current | 8 mA |
| Maximum data rate | 120 kbit/s |
| ESD protection (HBM) | +15 kV |
| ESD protection (IEC61000‑4‑2 contact) | +8 kV |
| ESD protection (IEC61000‑4‑2 air‑gap) | +15 kV |
| Receiver propagation delay (low‑to‑high) | 500 ns |
The MAX232E operates from a typical supply voltage of 4.5 V to 5.5 V, with an absolute maximum range of –0.3 V to 6 V.
The device can operate at data rates up to 120 kbit/s.
It offers +15 kV Human‑Body Model protection, +8 kV IEC61000‑4‑2 contact discharge protection, and +15 kV IEC61000‑4‑2 air‑gap discharge protection.
Typical supply current consumption is about 8 mA.