MAX232EEPE RS232 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The MAX232EEPE is a 2/2 full-duplex RS232 transceiver manufactured by Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated, housed in a 16-pin DIP package. This interface IC converts between RS232 voltage levels and TTL/CMOS logic levels, supporting data rates up to 120 kbps with a 500 mV receiver hysteresis. The part is currently classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing system support and new designs requiring RS232 communication interfaces.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
Part Number	MAX232EEPE
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Drivers/Receivers	2/2
Duplex Mode	Full
Data Rate	120 kbps
Supply Voltage	4.5V – 5.5V
Operating Temperature	-40°C to 85°C
Package	16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Product Status	Obsolete
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution for the MAX232EEPE is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters: RS232 protocol compliance, 2/2 driver/receiver configuration, full-duplex operation, 16-DIP package format, through-hole mounting, and supply voltage range of 4.5V to 5.5V. Operating temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) and receiver hysteresis characteristics are secondary matching criteria.

Substitute parts are grouped into three categories:

Parametric Equivalents (MAX202 and MAX220 Series): Parts with identical electrical specifications and package format, differing only in base product number or RoHS compliance status. These include MAX202EEPE+, MAX202EPE+, MAX220EPE+, MAX232EEPE+, and MAX232EPE+.

Direct Manufacturer Equivalent (Texas Instruments): The MAX232EIN from Texas Instruments maintains core RS232 transceiver functionality with identical package and pin configuration, though with enhanced data rate capability (250 kbps vs. 120 kbps).

Manufacturer-Recommended Alternatives (ADM Series): Analog Devices ADM1181AANZ, ADM202EANZ, ADM232AANZ, and ADM232LANZ provide RS232 transceiver functionality with identical package and mounting specifications. These parts feature enhanced receiver hysteresis (400–650 mV) and higher data rates (120–230 kbps), with full RoHS3 compliance and active product status.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Protocol	Drivers/Receivers	Data Rate	Receiver Hysteresis	Supply Voltage	Operating Temp	Package	Product Status	RoHS Status
MAX232EEPE	Analog Devices/Maxim	RS232	2/2	120 kbps	500 mV	4.5V–5.5V	-40°C to 85°C	16-DIP	Obsolete	Non-compliant
MAX202EEPE+	Analog Devices/Maxim	RS232	2/2	120 kbps	500 mV	4.5V–5.5V	-40°C to 85°C	16-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX202EPE+	Analog Devices/Maxim	RS232	2/2	120 kbps	500 mV	4.5V–5.5V	-40°C to 85°C	16-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX220EPE+	Analog Devices/Maxim	RS232	2/2	120 kbps	500 mV	4.5V–5.5V	-40°C to 85°C	16-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX232EEPE+	Analog Devices/Maxim	RS232	2/2	120 kbps	500 mV	4.5V–5.5V	-40°C to 85°C	16-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX232EPE+	Analog Devices/Maxim	RS232	2/2	120 kbps	500 mV	4.5V–5.5V	-40°C to 85°C	16-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX232EIN	Texas Instruments	RS232	2/2	250 kbps	500 mV	4.5V–5.5V	-40°C to 85°C	16-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
ADM1181AANZ	Analog Devices	RS232	2/2	230 kbps	650 mV	4.5V–5.5V	-40°C to 85°C	16-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
ADM202EANZ	Analog Devices	RS232	2/2	230 kbps	650 mV	4.5V–5.5V	-40°C to 85°C	16-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
ADM232AANZ	Analog Devices	RS232	2/2	200 kbps	400 mV	4.5V–5.5V	-40°C to 85°C	16-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
ADM232LANZ	Analog Devices	RS232	2/2	120 kbps	650 mV	4.5V–5.5V	-40°C to 85°C	16-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For applications requiring direct replacement of the obsolete MAX232EEPE with minimal design changes, the MAX232EEPE+ or MAX232EPE+ are preferred selections. Both maintain identical electrical specifications and package format while offering active product status and ROHS3 compliance.

For new designs or systems where RoHS3 compliance is mandatory, MAX202EPE+ (8500 units in stock) and MAX232EPE+ (9463 units in stock) provide the highest inventory availability among parametric equivalents.

The MAX232EIN from Texas Instruments serves as a direct functional equivalent with enhanced data rate capability (250 kbps), suitable for applications requiring higher communication speeds within the same package footprint.

The ADM series (ADM1181AANZ, ADM202EANZ, ADM232AANZ, ADM232LANZ) represents manufacturer-recommended alternatives with active status and full RoHS3 compliance. ADM202EANZ offers the highest inventory availability (10,930 units) among all substitutes. Selection within the ADM series depends on specific receiver hysteresis and data rate requirements for the target application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can MAX202EPE+ directly replace MAX232EEPE in existing designs?

A: Yes. Both parts share identical RS232 protocol, 2/2 driver/receiver configuration, 120 kbps data rate, 500 mV receiver hysteresis, 4.5V–5.5V supply voltage, and 16-DIP package format. The primary difference is product status (active vs. obsolete) and RoHS compliance.

Q: What is the difference between MAX232EEPE+ and MAX232EPE+?

A: Both are active-status variants of the MAX232 base product with ROHS3 compliance. They are parametrically equivalent with identical electrical specifications and package format. Selection may depend on packaging type (Tube) and inventory availability.

Q: Are ADM series parts pin-compatible with MAX232EEPE?

A: Yes. ADM1181AANZ, ADM202EANZ, ADM232AANZ, and ADM232LANZ all use the 16-DIP package with identical pinout. However, they feature different receiver hysteresis values (400–650 mV) and data rates (120–230 kbps) compared to the original part's 500 mV hysteresis and 120 kbps rate.

Q: Why does MAX232EIN from Texas Instruments have a higher data rate?

A: The MAX232EIN supports 250 kbps data rate while maintaining the same 120 kbps specification of the original MAX232EEPE. This enhanced capability is a design improvement in the Texas Instruments version and does not affect backward compatibility in applications using lower data rates.

Q: Which substitute offers the best inventory availability?

A: ADM202EANZ provides the highest inventory level at 10,930 units in stock, followed by MAX232EPE+ with 9,463 units. Both are active products with full RoHS3 compliance.

Q: Is the MAX232EEPE RoHS compliant?

A: No. The original MAX232EEPE is RoHS non-compliant. All recommended substitutes (MAX202/MAX220/MAX232 with + suffix and ADM series) are ROHS3 compliant, meeting current environmental regulations.

Q: Can I use ADM232LANZ as a direct replacement if my application only requires 120 kbps?

A: Yes. ADM232LANZ operates at 120 kbps with 650 mV receiver hysteresis, maintaining the same data rate as MAX232EEPE. The higher hysteresis value may provide improved noise immunity in certain applications but does not prevent functional compatibility.

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