Description
Neutrik NC3FXX – 3‑Pole Female Inline XLR Connector (Nickel Housing)
Overview
The NC3FXX is a high-quality 3‑pole female (socket) cable-mount XLR connector in Neutrik’s “XX” series. It features a nickel-plated zinc die‑cast housing, silver-plated contacts, improved mechanical design, and enhanced strain relief, making it suited for professional audio cable assemblies and repairs.
As an authorized distributor, Tri‑Tek Electronics offers genuine Neutrik products with full warranty and local support in Mesa, Phoenix, and the broader Arizona region.
Key Features & Benefits
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Nickel-plated die-cast shell with robust construction
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Silver-plated contacts for low-resistance connections
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Female contact includes a solder barrier to prevent solder from flowing into the mating zone
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Unique “cage” contact design for consistent contact pressure
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Solid-metal latch mechanism for secure mating
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Additional grounding spring contacts for better shell-to-shell continuity
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Chuck‑type strain relief for stronger cable retention and simplified assembly
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Polyurethane boot (gland) protects against cable bending stress
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Ergonomic and compact body design for easier handling
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Internal threading of shell is shielded from external damage
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Option for colored rings or boots (for identification)
Specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Contact Capacitance |
≤ 4 pF |
| Contact Resistance |
≤ 3 mΩ |
| Dielectric Strength |
1.5 kV DC |
| Insulation Resistance |
> 10 GΩ (initial) |
| Rated Current (each contact) |
16 A |
| Rated Voltage |
< 50 V |
| Cable Outer Diameter Range |
3.5 – 8.0 mm |
| Maximum Wire Size |
2.5 mm² (approx. 14 AWG) |
| Insertion / Withdrawal Force |
≤ 20 N |
| Mechanical Life |
> 1,000 mating cycles |
| Locking Mechanism |
Latch lock |
| Housing Material |
Zinc die-cast, nickel plating |
| Contact Material / Plating |
Bronze base, 2 µm silver plating |
| Insert Material |
Polyamide PA66 |
| Strain Relief Material |
Polyacetal (POM) |
| Boot / Gland Material |
Polyurethane |
| Operating Temperature |
–30 °C to +80 °C |
| Protection Class |
IP 40 |
Application / Usage Scenario
This connector is commonly used when building or repairing balanced audio cables, especially where a female end is needed (e.g. connecting to male XLR plugs on mixers, preamps, powered speakers, mic inputs). The installer strips the cable, slides on the boot and strain-relief components, solders the conductors (shield, hot, cold) to the designated solder cups, and secures the assembly using the chuck-type strain relief. The robust mechanical design helps minimize stress on solder joints during regular flexing or movement.
For example, in a mobile recording rig, an engineer might use NC3FXX connectors to create balanced microphone extension cables. The high contact integrity, solid latch, and mechanical durability suit demanding field use.
Installation Tips & Best Practices
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Pre-tin both cable conductors and the solder cups before final soldering
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Use a temperature-controlled soldering iron and minimize dwell time to avoid damaging the insert
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Ensure that the strain relief clamps the cable jacket instead of conductors
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Use matching “XX‑series” male connectors to maintain consistent mechanical and shielding interface
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Optionally, apply colored ring or boot inserts to help label or differentiate channels
