Max232 Type Rs232 Chips - What Type Of Capacitors, MAX232 Charge pump capacitors

[dxpwny]

I am building a project using a type of RS232 level translator that runs on just +5 Vdc.
The actual part is a Sipex/Exar SP207HCP, but I guess my question would apply to any similar IC that use charge pumps to build up the RS232 level voltages.

My Question is, must I used polarized capacitors as the charge pump capacitors ?

I have non-polarized caps that would fit much better and would prefer to use them.

I'm only going to running at 112K Baud and below - though likely no greater then 56k.

 

[KlausST]

Hi,

I don't know this IC.
But in a good datasheet there should be a section called "capacitor selection".
Look for it.

If there is no such information i recommend to use X7R ceramic capacitors.
Any other ceramic capacitor will also work.

Hope this helps
Klaus

 

[BradtheRad]

Voltage multipliers commonly charge capacitors to a DC level which is a little less than the supply voltage. They lose some, gain some, as AC goes through them with each cycle of charge-pump action.

It is likely non-polarized capacitors will do the job.