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MAX232E: Difference between MAX232E and MAX232 (no E)

Part Number: MAX232E

I am trying to understand the difference between the MAX232ECDR and MAX232CDR.   Specs look to be the same.   Is there also a part that is more available as well?  We would like to make sure we have the more available version on our spec as we work to clean it up.

  • Hi Jason,

    The "E" in this case stands for ESD.  The MAX232E is rated to support level 4 IEC 61000-4-2 ESD requirements (i.e., 8 kV contact discharge and 15 kV air discharge) without requiring external protection components like TVS diodes.  Besides that, the performance should be very similar between the two part numbers.

    There isn't a significant difference between them with respect to availability, either, so I would recommend just choosing whichever part suits your requirements the best.  (Personally I'd go with the higher ESD part given that the RS-232 signals likely route to an external port which could be subject to unknown stresses.)

    Regards,
    Max