ICL3241ECA-T RS232 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The ICL3241ECA-T is a full-duplex RS232 transceiver manufactured by Renesas Electronics Corporation, configured with 3 drivers and 5 receivers in a 28-SSOP surface mount package. This component operates across 3V to 5.5V supply voltage with a 250 kbps data rate and 500 mV receiver hysteresis. The part is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and production continuity.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	ICL3241ECA-T
Manufacturer	Renesas Electronics Corporation
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers	3/5
Duplex	Full
Data Rate	250 kbps
Receiver Hysteresis	500 mV
Voltage - Supply	3V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 70°C
Package / Case	28-SSOP (0.209", 5.30mm Width)
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Product Status	Obsolete
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution for the ICL3241ECA-T is determined by strict adherence to the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Critical Matching Parameters:

Protocol: RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers: 3/5
Duplex: Full
Package / Case: 28-SSOP (0.209", 5.30mm Width)
Voltage - Supply: 3V ~ 5.5V
Data Rate: 250 kbps minimum
Receiver Hysteresis: 500 mV

Substitute Categories:

Parametric Equivalents match all critical parameters and are direct functional replacements:

ICL3241ECAZ-T (Renesas, Active status, ROHS3 compliant)
ICL3243ECAZ-T (Renesas, Active status, ROHS3 compliant)

Direct Manufacturer Equivalents match all critical parameters with identical electrical specifications:

MAX3241ECAI+ (Analog Devices/Maxim, Active status, ROHS3 compliant)

Similar Parts match core electrical and mechanical parameters but contain minor variations in receiver hysteresis or data rate specifications:

MAX3241CAI+ (300 mV hysteresis, 235 kbps data rate)
MAX3241CAI+T (300 mV hysteresis, 235 kbps data rate)
MAX3241EAI+ (300 mV hysteresis, 235 kbps data rate, extended temperature range)
MAX3241EAI+T (300 mV hysteresis, 235 kbps data rate, extended temperature range)
MAX3241EEAI+ (500 mV hysteresis, 250 kbps, extended temperature range)
MAX3241EEAI+T (500 mV hysteresis, 250 kbps, extended temperature range)
ST3241EBPR (300 mV hysteresis, 250 kbps, extended temperature range)

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Drivers/Receivers	Data Rate	Receiver Hysteresis	Operating Temperature	Product Status	RoHS Status	Packaging
ICL3241ECA-T	Renesas	3/5	250 kbps	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	Obsolete	Non-compliant	Tube
ICL3241ECAZ-T	Renesas	3/5	250 kbps	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	Active	ROHS3	Tape & Reel
ICL3243ECAZ-T	Renesas	3/5	250 kbps	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	Active	ROHS3	Tape & Reel
MAX3241ECAI+	Analog Devices/Maxim	3/5	250 kbps	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	Active	ROHS3	Tube
MAX3241CAI+	Analog Devices/Maxim	3/5	235 kbps	300 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	Active	ROHS3	Tube
MAX3241CAI+T	Analog Devices/Maxim	3/5	235 kbps	300 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	Active	ROHS3	Tape & Reel
MAX3241EAI+	Analog Devices/Maxim	3/5	235 kbps	300 mV	-40°C ~ 85°C	Active	ROHS3	Tube
MAX3241EAI+T	Analog Devices/Maxim	3/5	235 kbps	300 mV	-40°C ~ 85°C	Active	ROHS3	Tape & Reel
MAX3241EEAI+	Analog Devices/Maxim	3/5	250 kbps	500 mV	-40°C ~ 85°C	Active	ROHS3	Tube
MAX3241EEAI+T	Analog Devices/Maxim	3/5	250 kbps	500 mV	-40°C ~ 85°C	Active	ROHS3	Cut Tape & Digi-Reel
ST3241EBPR	STMicroelectronics	3/5	250 kbps	300 mV	-40°C ~ 85°C	Active	ROHS3	Cut Tape & Digi-Reel

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For Direct Replacement (Obsolete to Active):

ICL3241ECAZ-T and ICL3243ECAZ-T from Renesas provide the most direct path for obsolete part replacement. Both maintain identical electrical specifications (250 kbps, 500 mV hysteresis) and operating temperature range (0°C ~ 70°C) as the original ICL3241ECA-T. Both are active products with ROHS3 compliance, addressing regulatory requirements for new production. ICL3241ECAZ-T is available in Tape & Reel packaging with 2,378 units in stock, while ICL3243ECAZ-T offers higher inventory (20,100 units) in the same packaging format.

For Cross-Manufacturer Substitution:

MAX3241ECAI+ from Analog Devices/Maxim Integrated matches all electrical parameters of the original part (250 kbps, 500 mV hysteresis, 0°C ~ 70°C operating range) and is ROHS3 compliant with active product status. This part is available in Tube packaging with 2,200 units in stock.

For Extended Temperature Applications:

MAX3241EEAI+ and MAX3241EEAI+T maintain the original electrical specifications (250 kbps, 500 mV hysteresis) while extending the operating temperature range to -40°C ~ 85°C. Both are ROHS3 compliant and active. MAX3241EEAI+T offers superior inventory availability (15,779 units) in Cut Tape & Digi-Reel packaging.

For Cost-Optimized Alternatives:

MAX3241CAI+ and MAX3241CAI+T provide functional substitution with minor parameter variations (235 kbps data rate, 300 mV hysteresis). These parts are suitable for applications where the reduced hysteresis and data rate do not impact system performance. Both are ROHS3 compliant and active, with MAX3241CAI+T offering higher inventory (4,260 units) in Tape & Reel format.

Compliance Consideration:

The original ICL3241ECA-T is RoHS non-compliant. All recommended substitutes are ROHS3 compliant, supporting regulatory requirements for new designs and production.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can ICL3241ECAZ-T directly replace ICL3241ECA-T?

A: Yes. ICL3241ECAZ-T is a parametric equivalent with identical electrical specifications (3/5 drivers/receivers, 250 kbps, 500 mV hysteresis, 3V ~ 5.5V supply, 0°C ~ 70°C operating range) and the same 28-SSOP package. The primary difference is product status (Active vs. Obsolete) and packaging format (Tape & Reel vs. Tube). Both are Renesas products.

Q: What is the difference between ICL3241ECAZ-T and ICL3243ECAZ-T?

A: Both parts are parametric equivalents with identical electrical specifications and operating parameters. The difference lies in the base product number (ICL3241 vs. ICL3243). Both are suitable for direct replacement of the ICL3241ECA-T. ICL3243ECAZ-T offers significantly higher inventory availability (20,100 units vs. 2,378 units).

Q: Can MAX3241CAI+ replace ICL3241ECA-T?

A: MAX3241CAI+ is a similar part with the same 3/5 driver/receiver configuration and 28-SSOP package. However, it has reduced receiver hysteresis (300 mV vs. 500 mV) and lower data rate (235 kbps vs. 250 kbps). Substitution is acceptable only if the application tolerates these parameter reductions.

Q: What is the advantage of MAX3241EEAI+T over MAX3241ECAI+?

A: MAX3241EEAI+T extends the operating temperature range to -40°C ~ 85°C compared to 0°C ~ 70°C for MAX3241ECAI+. Both maintain identical electrical specifications (250 kbps, 500 mV hysteresis). MAX3241EEAI+T is suitable for industrial and automotive applications requiring wider temperature operation. Inventory availability is also significantly higher (15,779 units vs. 2,200 units).

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: Yes. All recommended substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant. The original ICL3241ECA-T is RoHS non-compliant. Substitution to any recommended part addresses RoHS compliance requirements for new production.

Q: Does packaging format affect electrical performance?

A: No. Packaging format (Tube, Tape & Reel, Cut Tape & Digi-Reel) does not affect electrical performance. Selection should be based on production volume and assembly process requirements. Tape & Reel and Cut Tape formats are standard for high-volume automated assembly.

Q: Can ST3241EBPR from STMicroelectronics replace ICL3241ECA-T?

A: ST3241EBPR is a similar part with the same 3/5 driver/receiver configuration, 250 kbps data rate, and 28-SSOP package. However, it has reduced receiver hysteresis (300 mV vs. 500 mV) and extended operating temperature range (-40°C ~ 85°C vs. 0°C ~ 70°C). Substitution is acceptable if the application tolerates the hysteresis reduction and benefits from the extended temperature range.

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