Product Overview
MAX485 Half-Duplex RS-485/RS-422 Transceiver IC, 2.5Mbps, DIP-8, 5V - Unused
Condition
Unused NOS. Carefully removed from surplus equipment that was never put into service. Evaluation: Visual inspection only. Function testing not performed. No accessories included.
Ships same business day from Idaho. Packed carefully.
Product Overview
Maxim Integrated MAX485 is a half-duplex RS-485/RS-422 transceiver in an 8-pin DIP package. It converts UART-level serial data to differential signaling for long-distance, noise-resistant communication over twisted-pair cable. Operates from a standard 5V supply.
Key Features
- Data rate: up to 2.5Mbps
- Supply voltage: 4.75V to 5.25V (5V nominal)
- Half-duplex operation - transmit or receive, not simultaneously
- Common-mode input voltage range: -7V to +12V
- Quiescent current: 300µA to 500µA
- 1-unit load - supports up to 32 devices per bus
- Package: DIP-8 - breadboard and through-hole PCB compatible
- Not slew-rate limited
Applications
- Modbus RTU industrial control networks
- DMX512 stage lighting controllers and DIY DMX interfaces
- Long-distance serial communication with Arduino or PLC systems
- RS-485 to USB adapter circuits
- Long-range sensor networks in electrically noisy environments
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this compatible with 3.3V microcontrollers like Raspberry Pi?
Not directly. The MAX485 requires a 5V supply and 5V logic levels. A level shifter is needed between the MAX485 and any 3.3V-only controller.
Can this handle full-duplex communication?
No. The MAX485 is half-duplex only - it can transmit or receive, but not both simultaneously. Full-duplex applications require a different part such as the MAX488 or MAX491.
How many devices can share one RS-485 bus with this transceiver?
Up to 32 devices. The MAX485 is a 1-unit load device. Applications requiring 128 or 256 nodes on a single bus need a fractional-unit-load transceiver.
What package is this? Will it fit a breadboard?
DIP-8. It fits standard solderless breadboards and through-hole PCBs directly with no adapter.
The MAX485 is the standard hardware choice for Modbus and DMX512 builds. Confirm your system runs 5V logic before ordering.
