The MAX3430 fault-protected RS-485 transceiver features 80V protection from overvoltage signal faults on communication bus lines. Each device contains one driver and one receiver, and the output pins can withstand faults, with respect to ground, of up to 80V. Even if the faults occur when the transceiver is active, shut down, or powered off, the device will not be damaged. The MAX3430 operates from a 3.3V supply and features a slew-rate-limited driver that minimizes EMI and reduces reflections caused by improperly terminated cables, allowing errorfree data transmission at data rates up to 250kbps. The MAX3430 has a 1/4-unit-load receiver input impedance allowing up to 128 transceivers on a single bus and features fail-safe circuitry, which guarantees a logic-high receiver output when the receiver inputs are open. Hot-swap circuitry eliminates false transitions on the data cable during circuit initialization or connection to a live backplane. Short-circuit current limiting and thermal-shutdown circuitry protect the driver against excessive power dissipation. The MAX3430 is available in 8-pin SO and 8-pin PDIP packages, and is specified over commercial and industrial temperature ranges.