MAX232CWE RS232 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The MAX232CWE is a 2/2 full-duplex RS232 transceiver manufactured by Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated, housed in a 16-SOIC surface mount package. This interface IC operates at 4.5V to 5.5V supply voltage with a 120 Kbps data rate and 500 mV receiver hysteresis. The MAX232CWE is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing system support, maintenance, and new design implementations where legacy compatibility is required.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers	2/2
Duplex	Full
Data Rate	120 Kbps
Voltage - Supply	4.5V ~ 5.5V
Receiver Hysteresis	500 mV
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 70°C
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Package / Case	16-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the MAX232CWE are classified based on strict electrical and mechanical parameter equivalence. All substitute parts maintain identical specifications across the following critical parameters:

RS232 protocol compliance
2/2 driver/receiver configuration
Full-duplex operation
120 Kbps data rate capability
4.5V to 5.5V supply voltage range
500 mV receiver hysteresis
16-SOIC package footprint (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
Surface mount mounting type
MSL rating of 1 or 2

Substitutes are grouped into two categories: parametric equivalents from Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated with active product status, direct equivalents from alternative manufacturers, and parametric equivalents from Renesas Electronics Corporation. All parts share identical electrical performance within the specified operating parameters.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Product Status	Protocol	Drivers/Receivers	Data Rate	Supply Voltage	Operating Temp	Package	RoHS Status	Inventory (Pcs)
MAX232CWE	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Obsolete	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-SOIC	RoHS non-compliant	1861
MAX201CWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Active	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant	777
MAX202CWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Active	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant	2200
MAX202ECWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Active	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant	2200
MAX220CWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Active	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant	1153
MAX232CWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Active	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant	29246
MAX232ECWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Active	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant	2232
MAX232IDW	Texas Instruments	Last Time Buy	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant	1301
HIN202CBZ	Renesas Electronics Corporation	Active	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant	17393
HIN232CBZ	Renesas Electronics Corporation	Active	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant	5606
MAX202CDW	Texas Instruments	Last Time Buy	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant	76380

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For new designs and ongoing system support, MAX232CWE+ and MAX232ECWE+ from Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated are preferred substitutes. Both parts are active products with ROHS3 compliance, addressing regulatory requirements while maintaining full electrical and mechanical compatibility with the original MAX232CWE.

For applications requiring extended operating temperature range (-40°C to 85°C), MAX232IDW from Texas Instruments provides parametric equivalence with broader thermal specifications. This part carries Last Time Buy status and ROHS3 compliance.

HIN202CBZ and HIN232CBZ from Renesas Electronics Corporation are active alternatives with ROHS3 compliance. HIN202CBZ offers higher inventory availability (17,393 units) and maintains identical electrical parameters. Both Renesas parts carry MSL rating of 2 (1 Year) compared to the original part's MSL 1 (Unlimited).

MAX202CDW from Texas Instruments provides the highest inventory availability (76,380 units) with Last Time Buy status and ROHS3 compliance, suitable for high-volume applications requiring immediate component availability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can MAX232CWE+ be used as a direct replacement for MAX232CWE?

A: Yes. MAX232CWE+ maintains identical electrical specifications (2/2 RS232 transceiver, 120 Kbps data rate, 4.5V to 5.5V supply, 500 mV receiver hysteresis) and package footprint (16-SOIC). The primary difference is product status (active vs. obsolete) and RoHS compliance (ROHS3 vs. non-compliant). Pin configuration and functional behavior are equivalent.

Q: What is the difference between MAX232CWE and MAX201CWE+?

A: Both parts are parametrically equivalent with identical electrical specifications and 16-SOIC packaging. The base product numbers differ (MAX232 vs. MAX201), but they share the same 2/2 transceiver configuration, 120 Kbps data rate, and supply voltage range. MAX201CWE+ is an active product with ROHS3 compliance.

Q: Are Renesas HIN232CBZ and HIN202CBZ suitable replacements?

A: Yes. Both Renesas parts maintain full electrical equivalence with identical RS232 protocol, 2/2 driver/receiver configuration, 120 Kbps data rate, and 16-SOIC package. Operating temperature range is identical (0°C to 70°C). The primary consideration is MSL rating: Renesas parts carry MSL 2 (1 Year) versus the original part's MSL 1 (Unlimited), affecting moisture handling during storage and assembly.

Q: Why does MAX232IDW have a different operating temperature range?

A: MAX232IDW from Texas Instruments extends the operating temperature range to -40°C to 85°C, providing broader thermal specifications than the original MAX232CWE (0°C to 70°C). All other electrical parameters remain identical. This part is suitable for applications requiring extended temperature operation.

Q: Which substitute part has the highest inventory availability?

A: MAX202CDW from Texas Instruments offers the highest inventory (76,380 units). This part maintains full parametric equivalence with the original MAX232CWE and carries ROHS3 compliance and Last Time Buy status.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: All substitute parts listed carry ROHS3 compliance. The original MAX232CWE is RoHS non-compliant. Substitution with any listed part addresses RoHS regulatory requirements for new designs and system updates.

Q: Can I use these parts interchangeably in the same PCB design?

A: Yes, all listed substitute parts share identical 16-SOIC package footprint (0.295", 7.50mm Width) and pin configuration. Direct PCB substitution is supported without layout modifications. Verify supply voltage and operating temperature requirements match your application specifications.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message