MAX232ECN RS232 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The MAX232ECN is a 2/2 full-duplex RS232 transceiver manufactured by Texas Instruments, housed in a 16-pin DIP package. This component is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for new designs and ongoing production support. The MAX232ECN operates within a 4.5V to 5.5V supply range with a 250 kbps data rate and 500 mV receiver hysteresis, designed for through-hole mounting applications requiring RS232 serial communication.

Key Parameters

Parameter	MAX232ECN Specification
Manufacturer	Texas Instruments
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers	2/2
Duplex	Full
Data Rate	250 kbps
Voltage Supply	4.5V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 70°C
Receiver Hysteresis	500 mV
Package / Case	16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Product Status	Obsolete
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the MAX232ECN is determined by the following critical parameters:

Protocol: RS232 (mandatory match)
Number of Drivers/Receivers: 2/2 (mandatory match)
Duplex: Full (mandatory match)
Package / Case: 16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm) (mandatory match)
Mounting Type: Through Hole (mandatory match)
Voltage Supply: 4.5V ~ 5.5V (mandatory match)

Secondary parameters that may vary within acceptable ranges:

Data Rate: Minimum 120 kbps (all substitutes meet or exceed this threshold)
Receiver Hysteresis: 400 mV to 650 mV (functional tolerance)
Operating Temperature: Extended range (-40°C ~ 85°C) acceptable for broader applications
Product Status: Active preferred over obsolete

All substitute parts listed maintain full electrical and mechanical compatibility with the MAX232ECN pinout and functional requirements.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Data Rate	Operating Temperature	Receiver Hysteresis	Product Status	Inventory
MAX232ECN	Texas Instruments	250 kbps	0°C ~ 70°C	500 mV	Obsolete	1115 Pcs
MAX232EIN	Texas Instruments	250 kbps	-40°C ~ 85°C	500 mV	Active	1962 Pcs
MAX232ECPE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	120 kbps	0°C ~ 70°C	500 mV	Active	1633 Pcs
ADM232AANZ	Analog Devices Inc.	200 kbps	-40°C ~ 85°C	400 mV	Active	2432 Pcs
ADM232LANZ	Analog Devices Inc.	120 kbps	-40°C ~ 85°C	650 mV	Active	2200 Pcs
HIN232CPZ	Renesas Electronics Corporation	120 kbps	0°C ~ 70°C	500 mV	Active	9431 Pcs
HIN232IPZ	Renesas Electronics Corporation	120 kbps	-40°C ~ 85°C	500 mV	Active	10200 Pcs
LT1081CN#PBF	Analog Devices Inc.	250 kbps	0°C ~ 70°C	400 mV	Active	2148 Pcs
LT1081IN#PBF	Analog Devices Inc.	250 kbps	-40°C ~ 85°C	400 mV	Active	948 Pcs
LT1781CN#PBF	Analog Devices Inc.	250 kbps	0°C ~ 70°C	400 mV	Active	2680 Pcs
LTC1383CN#PBF	Analog Devices Inc.	120 kbps	0°C ~ 70°C	400 mV	Active	1150 Pcs

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Recommendation: MAX232EIN

The MAX232EIN is the direct active-production equivalent from Texas Instruments. It maintains identical electrical specifications to the MAX232ECN (250 kbps data rate, 500 mV receiver hysteresis) while extending the operating temperature range to -40°C ~ 85°C. This part is ROHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected, matching the compliance profile of the original component. With 1962 units in stock, it provides immediate availability for direct substitution without design modification.

Secondary Recommendations by Application Profile:

For applications requiring extended temperature operation (-40°C ~ 85°C) with maintained 250 kbps performance:

LT1081IN#PBF (Analog Devices Inc.) offers 250 kbps data rate with 400 mV receiver hysteresis and full temperature range coverage.

For applications with standard temperature range (0°C ~ 70°C) and high inventory availability:

HIN232CPZ (Renesas Electronics Corporation) provides 120 kbps operation with 500 mV receiver hysteresis and 9431 units in stock.
LT1081CN#PBF (Analog Devices Inc.) delivers 250 kbps performance with 400 mV receiver hysteresis and 2148 units in stock.

For applications requiring extended temperature range with high inventory:

HIN232IPZ (Renesas Electronics Corporation) offers 120 kbps operation with 500 mV receiver hysteresis and 10200 units in stock.

All recommended substitutes maintain ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status, ensuring regulatory alignment with the original MAX232ECN specification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can MAX232ECPE+ replace MAX232ECN directly?

A: MAX232ECPE+ is electrically compatible as a 2/2 full-duplex RS232 transceiver in 16-DIP packaging. However, it operates at 120 kbps compared to the MAX232ECN's 250 kbps data rate. This substitution is valid only for applications where 120 kbps performance meets system requirements.

Q: What is the difference between HIN232CPZ and HIN232IPZ?

A: Both are Renesas Electronics Corporation HIN232 series transceivers with identical electrical performance (120 kbps, 500 mV receiver hysteresis, 16-DIP package). The primary difference is operating temperature range: HIN232CPZ operates 0°C ~ 70°C, while HIN232IPZ extends to -40°C ~ 85°C. Select based on application temperature requirements.

Q: Are all substitute parts ROHS3 compliant?

A: All listed substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected, matching the regulatory status of the MAX232ECN.

Q: Can I use ADM232LANZ with 650 mV receiver hysteresis instead of 500 mV?

A: ADM232LANZ is functionally compatible as a 2/2 full-duplex RS232 transceiver in 16-DIP packaging. The 650 mV receiver hysteresis (compared to MAX232ECN's 500 mV) represents a wider noise margin and is acceptable for standard RS232 applications. This substitution is valid when extended temperature operation (-40°C ~ 85°C) is required and 120 kbps data rate meets system specifications.

Q: Which substitute offers the highest data rate?

A: MAX232EIN, LT1081CN#PBF, LT1081IN#PBF, and LT1781CN#PBF all support 250 kbps data rate, matching the MAX232ECN specification. MAX232EIN is the recommended choice as the direct Texas Instruments active equivalent.

Q: Is the 16-DIP package identical across all substitutes?

A: All substitute parts use 16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm) through-hole packaging with identical pinout compatibility. No PCB layout modifications are required for mechanical substitution.

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