what to do with unused pins on MAX232/MAX233

Jul 04, 2005 1 Replies

Hi - I'm just wondering - I'm working on a board that uses a MAX233 (it's a MAX232 with internal caps). It has two RS-232 inputs and two RS-232 outputs. I'm only using one of each. What should I do with the ones that I'm not using? In the back of my head something is telling me I should ground the inputs (so RS-232 input input, and the RS-232 output input, if you follow my wording). Is that right? Thanks!


-Michael J. Noone


It's always a good rule of thumb to tie unused inputs. However, the MAX233 has built in pull-ups and -downs (400K up for TTL inputs and 5K to ground on the RS-232 side) so in this case you're covered.

Rich Webb Norfolk, VA

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