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MAX3491 Production
The MAX3483, MAX3485, MAX3486, MAX3488, MAX3490, and MAX3491 are 3.3V, low-power transceivers for RS-485 and RS-422 communication. Each part contains one...
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MAX3491 on Analog.com

MAX3491E Production
Devices in the MAX3483E family (MAX3483E/MAX3485E/MAX3486E/MAX3488E/MAX3490E/MAX3491E) are ±15kV ESD-protected, +3.3V, low-power transceivers for RS-485...
Datasheet
MAX3491E on Analog.com

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Can I use the MAX3491 outputs as RS-232?

		
	
				

			

									
					    emnet
					
							

            
            			
				
									
											
			
			
				
			
			
			    	
			                    
                
				                on May 28, 2026 
				
			
			
		

		
		                    	    

        	    
Thread Summary

                The user inquired about using the MAX3491 IC for RS232 communication by using two of its four outputs. The final answer clarifies that the MAX3491 is designed for differential RS485/RS422 signaling and cannot be used directly for RS232. For applications requiring both interfaces, the MAX3160 and LTC2872 families are recommended as they support switching between RS232 and RS485.
                        	    

                
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Category: Hardware

    		        		            		    
Product Number:  MAX3491E , MAX349 

    		        		    		    

		    		    
		    			

			    
Hello,


I designed a board with the MAX3491 IC to implement RS422/RS485 UART communication.


The client now wants to check if it can work with RS232 standard as well. I was wondering if they can use 2 of the 4 outputs and if it will work as RS232. For example, use the two non-inverting outputs (A, pin 12 and Y, pin 9). If the configuration I suggest is incorrect, is there another one that can work?


Is that possible?


Thank you.

			

			
									
		                             
                        

    

                                            
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    •  Analog Employees  
    
            
						
                            
            
            				
            
                on May 31, 2026 11:35 PM
            
            
						
			            		
    
		
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    Hi,
    

    The MAX3491 is a differential RS‑485/RS‑422 transceiver, while RS‑232 uses single‑ended signaling with different voltage levels, so it cannot be used directly for RS‑232 communication.
    

    For applications that need both interfaces, multiprotocol devices such as the MAX3160 and LTC2872 families are available, which support switching between RS‑232 and RS‑485.
    

    Best,
    

    Jane
    
			
    

		
			
	      

		
		
	
    
	
    
		
    
			
		
    
	
    
	
    
		
						
				
						
						
				
				
		
		
    
			
		
    
	
    

    

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    •  Analog Employees  
    
            
						
                            
            
            				
            
                on May 31, 2026 11:35 PM
            
            
						
			            		
    
		
										+1
					
	
    

		
		
    
		
    
                                
                                                            
    
					
    Hi,
    

    The MAX3491 is a differential RS‑485/RS‑422 transceiver, while RS‑232 uses single‑ended signaling with different voltage levels, so it cannot be used directly for RS‑232 communication.
    

    For applications that need both interfaces, multiprotocol devices such as the MAX3160 and LTC2872 families are available, which support switching between RS‑232 and RS‑485.
    

    Best,
    

    Jane
    
			
    

		
			
	      

		
		
	
    
	
    
		
    
			
		
    
	
    
	
    
		
						
				
						
						
				
				
		
		
    
			
		
    
	
    

    

    • 





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