The LTC1484 is a low power RS485 compatible transceiver. In receiver mode, it offers a fail-safe feature which guarantees a high receiver output state when the inputs are left open, shorted together or terminated with no signal present. No external components are required to ensure the high receiver output state. Both driver and receiver feature three-state outputs with separate receiver and driver control pins. The driver outputs maintain high impedance over the entire common mode range when three-stated. Excessive power dissipation caused by bus contention or faults is prevented by a thermal shutdown circuit that forces the driver outputs into a high impedance state. Enhanced ESD protection allows the LTC1484 to withstand 15kV (human body model), IEC-1000-4-2 level 4 ( 8kV) contact and level 3 ( 8kV) air discharge ESD without latchup or damage.