Neutrik NC3FXX Female 3-Pin XLR Connector – Nickel Housing, Silver Contacts
Build and repair professional audio cables with the Neutrik NC3FXX Female 3-Pin XLR Cable Connector, part of Neutrik’s internationally recognised XX Series of professional XLR connectors.
The NC3FXX features a rugged nickel-plated zinc die-cast housing, silver-plated bronze contacts, solder termination, Neutrik’s improved chuck-type strain relief and a robust solid-metal locking latch.
Designed for professional microphone cables, balanced analogue audio, broadcast, theatre, touring, recording, AV and production systems, the NC3FXX is a dependable connector for technicians who need cables that can withstand repeated connection, coiling, transport and servicing.
Neutrik describes the XX Series as the next generation of its worldwide accepted XLR cable-connector standard, with improvements to reliability, assembly, contact integrity and cable strain relief.
Whether you are manufacturing new microphone leads, repairing venue stock, servicing touring cables or keeping replacement connectors in the workshop, the NC3FXX provides the construction and serviceability expected from a genuine Neutrik professional connector.
Genuine Neutrik XX Series Female XLR Connector
The NC3FXX belongs to Neutrik’s XX Series, developed as the successor to its established X Series of XLR cable connectors.
The design incorporates improvements including:
- Unique female cage contacts
- Solder barriers within the contacts
- Improved solid-metal locking latch
- Additional ground-spring contacts
- Improved chuck-type strain relief
- Polyurethane cable-bending protection
- Protected internal shell thread
- Optional colour-coding accessories
These features make the NC3FXX particularly well suited to professional cables that may be plugged, unplugged, transported and serviced hundreds of times during their working life.
Professional 3-Pin Female XLR Cable Connector
The NC3FXX is a 3-pole female XLR cable connector with solder termination.
Typical professional applications include cables for:
- Microphones
- Mixing consoles
- Stage boxes
- Wireless systems
- Audio interfaces
- Signal distribution
- Theatre audio
- Touring audio
- Recording studios
- Broadcast
- Film and television
- Professional AV
- Appropriate 3-pin data and lighting systems
Neutrik specifies conductor sizes up to 2.5mm² / 14 AWG, making the connector compatible with a broad range of professional signal-cable constructions.
Nickel-Plated Zinc Die-Cast Housing
The NC3FXX uses a rugged zinc die-cast shell with nickel plating.
This is the technically correct description of the silver-coloured connector body.
It should therefore be described as:
Nickel housing
or:
Nickel-plated zinc die-cast housing
rather than simply “silver body”.
The metal housing provides the mechanical protection expected from a professional connector used throughout:
- Concert touring
- Theatre
- Broadcast
- Recording
- Film and television
- Live events
- Production companies
- Equipment hire
- Installed AV
For cables that are continually handled, the connector shell plays an important part in protecting the internal contacts and termination.
Silver-Plated Bronze Female Contacts
The NC3FXX uses bronze CuSn8 female contacts with 2 µm silver plating.
This differs slightly from the NC3MXX male connector, whose contact material is specified differently.
Neutrik specifies for the NC3FXX:
Contact Material: Bronze (CuSn8)
Contact Plating: 2 µm Ag
Contact Resistance: ≤ 3 mΩ
Rated Current per Contact: 16 A
Rated Voltage: < 50 V
These ratings are specifications for the connector component itself.
The finished cable or system will also depend on the cable, wiring, connected equipment and applicable standards.
The NC3FXX is primarily a professional signal connector and should not be treated as a mains-power connector simply because individual contacts have a published current rating.
Unique Female Cage Contact Design
One of the defining features of the NC3FXX is Neutrik’s unique cage design for the female contacts.
The design is intended to provide:
- Low contact resistance
- High contact integrity
- Reliable mating
- Consistent electrical connection
This is especially valuable in professional systems where connectors may be repeatedly plugged and unplugged over many years.
In touring and hire environments, connector contacts can be exposed to repeated mechanical cycling, handling and transportation, making contact design an important part of long-term cable reliability.
Integrated Solder Barrier
The NC3FXX female contacts incorporate a solder barrier designed to prevent solder from flowing into the mating area of the contact.
This is an important workshop feature.
During termination, excessive solder migration into the contact area could interfere with the mechanical and electrical performance of a female connector.
Neutrik’s barrier helps keep the mating section separated from the solder termination area.
Correct soldering technique is still essential.
Avoid:
- Excessive solder
- Overheating contacts
- Loose strands
- Excessive stripped conductor
- Solder bridges
- Poor mechanical preparation
Always electrically test completed cables before placing them into service.
Improved Solid-Metal Latch
The NC3FXX incorporates an improved solid-metal locking latch that Neutrik describes as larger and easier to handle than earlier designs.
The latch helps retain the connection when the female cable connector is mated with a compatible male XLR.
This is especially useful in professional environments where connections need to remain secure across:
- Stage setups
- Touring systems
- Microphone cables
- Patch systems
- Broadcast equipment
- Recording systems
- AV installations
The latch should move freely and engage correctly with the mating connector.
Damaged locking mechanisms should be repaired or replaced rather than forcing connections into service.
Additional Ground-Spring Contacts
The NC3FXX incorporates additional ground-spring contacts to improve shell ground continuity.
For professional audio cable construction, maintaining the intended connector-shell relationship can be important within the complete shielding and grounding arrangement of a system.
Actual grounding behaviour still depends on:
- Cable construction
- Wiring
- Equipment
- Pin assignment
- Installation
- System design
Connector features should therefore be considered as part of the complete audio system rather than in isolation.
Improved Chuck-Type Strain Relief
Neutrik’s XX Series uses an improved chuck-type strain-relief system designed to provide increased cable pull-out force while simplifying assembly.
Proper strain relief is essential in professional cable construction.
Without it, pulling or bending the cable can transfer mechanical stress directly to:
- Solder joints
- Conductors
- Shielding
- Connector contacts
The chuck system grips the cable jacket so that normal mechanical loads are managed by the connector assembly rather than relying on the electrical terminations.
This is particularly valuable for:
- Touring cables
- Venue inventory
- Rental stock
- Theatre audio
- Broadcast
- Film production
- Corporate AV
Polyurethane Cable Gland
The NC3FXX uses a polyurethane boot/gland designed to protect the cable against bending stresses where it exits the rear of the connector.
This area is exposed to repeated flexing during:
- Coiling
- Uncoiling
- Patching
- Packing
- Touring
- Rack connection
- Stage deployment
- Cable storage
Good bend protection helps spread mechanical stress over a larger section of the cable rather than concentrating it immediately behind the termination.
Cable Diameter – 3.5mm to 8.0mm
Neutrik specifies the standard NC3FXX for cables with an outside diameter of:
3.5mm to 8.0mm
This accommodates a broad range of common professional microphone, balanced audio and signal cables.
Always confirm the outside diameter of the chosen cable before assembly.
For larger cable diameters, Neutrik offers the NC3FXX-14, designed for cable O.D. from approximately 8mm to 10mm.
Using the correct connector configuration helps ensure the chuck strain relief grips the cable jacket properly.
Solder-Termination Connector
The standard NC3FXX uses solder contacts.
This makes it suitable for:
- New cable manufacture
- Venue repairs
- Touring repairs
- Custom cable construction
- Workshop servicing
- Equipment-hire maintenance
Neutrik also manufactures specialist NC3FXX variants with different termination systems, but the standard NC3FXX is the solder version.
Professional assembly remains critical.
A quality connector cannot compensate for:
- Cold solder joints
- Incorrect pin wiring
- Damaged shielding
- Poor stripping
- Loose conductor strands
- Incorrect strain-relief assembly
- Inadequate testing
Professional Microphone Cable Construction
One of the most common NC3FXX applications is professional microphone cable.
A typical balanced microphone lead uses:
- One female 3-pin XLR connector
- One male 3-pin XLR connector
- Suitable balanced microphone cable
The NC3FXX is commonly paired with the Neutrik NC3MXX male cable connector.
For many conventional professional audio applications, the commonly used XLR wiring arrangement is:
Pin 1: Shield / ground
Pin 2: Positive / hot
Pin 3: Negative / cold
Always confirm the requirements of the equipment and system being serviced rather than relying solely on convention.
Balanced Analogue Audio
The NC3FXX is suitable for professional balanced analogue audio interconnects.
Potential applications include:
- Mixing consoles
- Stage boxes
- Audio interfaces
- DSP equipment
- Wireless receivers
- Amplifier signal connections
- Playback systems
- Broadcast equipment
- Recording equipment
- Professional AV systems
When used with correctly designed balanced equipment and appropriate cable, balanced connections can help reject common-mode interference over longer cable runs.
Theatre and Performing Arts
XLR cabling remains fundamental throughout theatre sound systems.
The NC3FXX can be used for cables connecting:
- Wired microphones
- Stage boxes
- Mixing consoles
- Playback systems
- Wireless systems
- Audio interfaces
- Production racks
- Appropriate communications systems
- Temporary production infrastructure
For venues maintaining significant cable inventories, repairable connectors can help extend the useful life of otherwise serviceable cables.
Keeping spare NC3FXX connectors in the technical workshop or production workbox can also reduce downtime when a damaged cable appears during rehearsal or production.
Touring, Concerts and Live Events
Touring cable inventory experiences constant mechanical handling.
Cables are regularly:
- Deployed
- Connected
- Disconnected
- Coiled
- Packed
- Loaded
- Transported
- Unpacked
- Re-deployed
The NC3FXX’s rugged zinc die-cast shell, polyurethane bend protection and improved chuck strain relief make it particularly suitable for professionally assembled touring cable inventory.
Potential uses include:
- Microphone cables
- Touring audio
- Monitor systems
- FOH systems
- Stage racks
- Playback systems
- Signal distribution
- Temporary event audio
Film and Television Production
Professional film and television audio systems also rely heavily on 3-pin XLR connections.
Potential applications include:
- Location sound
- Interview microphones
- Boom microphone cables
- Studio sound
- Wireless receiver outputs
- Field mixers
- Audio recorders
- Production audio
- Broadcast infrastructure
Location cables are frequently packed, transported and redeployed, so rugged serviceable connectors can be particularly valuable.
If a connector is damaged but the cable remains serviceable, replacing the connector may be more practical than discarding the complete lead.
Broadcast
Broadcast environments require dependable cable infrastructure across both permanent and mobile systems.
NC3FXX applications may include:
- Studio audio
- Outside broadcast
- Microphone systems
- Production interconnects
- Audio patching
- Broadcast racks
- Temporary production systems
The combination of robust mechanical construction and serviceable solder termination makes the NC3FXX well suited to facilities that maintain their own cable stock.
Recording Studios
The NC3FXX is equally suitable for studio cable construction.
Potential applications include:
- Microphone leads
- Patch cables
- Audio interfaces
- Outboard equipment
- Monitor systems
- Studio tie lines
- Wall boxes
- Recording racks
Even in installations where cables experience less physical abuse than touring systems, dependable contacts and straightforward serviceability remain important.
AV, Conference and Corporate Events
Professional AV systems commonly use 3-pin XLR for:
- Microphones
- Mixing consoles
- DSP systems
- Audio interfaces
- Powered loudspeaker signals
- Presentation systems
- Conference audio
- Temporary event systems
- Breakout and interface cables
For AV companies managing substantial cable inventory, stocking replacement NC3FXX connectors can support both new cable manufacture and routine repairs.
3-Pin XLR and DMX Applications
Three-pin XLR connectors are also encountered on some lighting and control equipment, particularly legacy or equipment-specific 3-pin DMX systems.
However, the physical XLR connector and the data standard should not be treated as the same thing.
Where the NC3FXX is used for an appropriate 3-pin lighting/data application:
- Confirm the equipment specifies a 3-pin XLR connection
- Confirm the required pin assignment
- Use cable appropriate to the data protocol
- Do not assume standard microphone cable is automatically suitable
- Test the completed data cable correctly
For professional DMX infrastructure, 5-pin XLR remains an important standard connector format.
AES3 / AES-EBU Digital Audio
Three-pin XLR is also widely associated with professional AES3 digital-audio connections.
For a digital-audio cable assembly, use cable designed with the appropriate transmission characteristics and impedance.
The presence of an NC3FXX connector alone does not make a cable suitable for AES3.
Correct:
- Cable selection
- Termination
- Shielding
- Assembly
- Testing
remain essential.
More Than 1,000 Mating Cycles
Neutrik specifies the standard NC3FXX for a mechanical lifetime of:
More than 1,000 mating cycles
This makes it well suited to repeated-use environments including:
- Touring
- Theatre
- Equipment hire
- Venue patching
- Broadcast
- Studios
- AV production
The actual life of the completed cable will also depend on:
- Handling
- Cable quality
- Contamination
- Storage
- Assembly quality
- Maintenance
Controlled Insertion and Withdrawal Force
Neutrik specifies:
Insertion Force: ≤ 20 N
Withdrawal Force: ≤ 20 N
for the standard NC3FXX.
These mechanical specifications relate to the connector’s mating behaviour with compatible components.
A connector that becomes unusually difficult to insert or remove should be inspected rather than forced.
Foreign material, contact damage or deformation can affect reliable mating.
IP40 Protection Class
The NC3FXX is rated IP40.
This means it should not be marketed as a waterproof or weatherproof connector.
For outdoor events:
- Keep connections protected from rain
- Avoid standing water
- Use appropriate weather protection
- Follow equipment requirements
- Consider the complete cable assembly
The rugged metal construction should not be confused with a sealed environmental connector.
Operating Temperature
Neutrik specifies an operating temperature range of:
-30°C to +80°C
for the NC3FXX component.
The complete cable assembly may have different practical limits depending on:
- Cable
- Solder
- Connected equipment
- Installation
- Environmental exposure
Always consider the complete system.
Electrical Performance
Neutrik specifies:
Contact Resistance: ≤ 3 mΩ
Capacitance Between Contacts: ≤ 4 pF
Insulation Resistance: > 10 GΩ initially
Dielectric Strength: 1.5 kV DC
Rated Current: 16 A per contact
Rated Voltage: < 50 V
These specifications describe the connector component and form part of Neutrik’s published XX-series technical data.
They should not be used to justify an application beyond the intended signal system or the ratings of the complete cable and connected equipment.
Protected Internal Shell Thread
The NC3FXX uses an internal shell thread protected against damage.
For technicians assembling or servicing connectors, protecting the threaded interface can help maintain reliable assembly throughout repeated workshop servicing.
When building a connector, ensure components are aligned correctly before tightening rather than forcing the threads.
Colour Coding and Identification
Neutrik supports coloured XX-series rings and boots for cable identification.
These accessories can be useful for coding cables by:
- Length
- Signal type
- Department
- Venue
- System
- Production
- Ownership
Neutrik also offers transparent coding-ring options for customised labelling.
For touring companies, venues and hire businesses with large cable inventories, systematic connector colour coding can make equipment identification faster during preparation and bump-in.
Male and Female Pairing
The NC3FXX is commonly paired with a Neutrik NC3MXX male XLR cable connector when manufacturing conventional balanced microphone cables.
Using professional connectors on both ends creates a serviceable cable assembly suitable for repeated production use.
Connector gender should always be selected according to the equipment and signal path being connected.
Cable Repair and Workshop Stock
Replacement NC3FXX connectors are useful workshop consumables for:
- Theatre technical departments
- Touring companies
- Audio workshops
- Production companies
- Equipment-hire businesses
- Broadcast facilities
- Studios
- Schools
- Performing arts centres
A failed connector does not necessarily mean the entire cable has reached the end of its service life.
Where the cable remains undamaged and electrically suitable, a technician may be able to remove the damaged connector and install a replacement NC3FXX.
Always test the repaired cable before returning it to service.
Schools and Performing Arts Centres
Schools and performing arts facilities often maintain significant numbers of microphone cables and XLR interconnects.
The NC3FXX provides a professional option for:
- Replacement connectors
- Custom cable construction
- Theatre systems
- Recording facilities
- Music departments
- Technical-production training
- Performing arts venues
Cable manufacture and repair should be undertaken by people with appropriate soldering skills and suitable cable-test equipment.
Equipment-Hire Businesses
Hire inventory experiences regular connection, transport and handling.
The NC3FXX is useful for:
- Building new rental cables
- Replacing damaged connectors
- Maintaining microphone leads
- Custom cable manufacture
- Workshop spare stock
- Touring packages
Standardising around a connector family can also simplify spare-parts inventory and technician familiarity.
Installation and Assembly Considerations
When assembling an NC3FXX:
- Confirm the cable outside diameter falls within the standard 3.5–8.0mm range.
- Slide the boot and strain-relief components onto the cable before soldering.
- Prepare the cable and conductors carefully.
- Confirm the required pin assignment.
- Create clean solder joints.
- Avoid excessive solder around the female contacts.
- Ensure the shield cannot short to unwanted contacts.
- Position the chuck strain relief correctly.
- Assemble the connector without cross-threading the shell.
- Electrically test the completed cable before use.
Professional connector quality and professional assembly workmanship need to work together.
Product Specifications
Brand: Neutrik
Model: NC3FXX
Series: XX Series
Connector Type: XLR cable connector
Gender: Female
Number of Poles: 3
Termination: Solder contacts
Housing: Zinc die-cast
Housing Finish: Nickel plated
Contact Material: Bronze (CuSn8)
Contact Plating: 2 µm silver
Cable Outside Diameter: 3.5–8.0mm
Maximum Conductor Size: 2.5mm² / 14 AWG
Insertion Force: ≤ 20 N
Withdrawal Force: ≤ 20 N
Locking System: Latch lock
Contact Resistance: ≤ 3 mΩ
Capacitance Between Contacts: ≤ 4 pF
Insulation Resistance: > 10 GΩ initially
Dielectric Strength: 1.5 kV DC
Rated Current: 16 A per contact
Rated Voltage: < 50 V
Mechanical Life: >1,000 mating cycles
Protection Class: IP40
Temperature Range: -30°C to +80°C
Flammability: UL 94 V-0
Standard Compliance: IEC 61076-2-103
Solderability: IEC 60068-2-20 compliant
Boot Material: Polyurethane
Insert Material: Polyamide PA66
Strain Relief: Polyacetal (POM) chuck-type system
Why Choose the Neutrik NC3FXX?
The NC3FXX is an excellent choice for professional cable manufacture and repair where you need:
- Genuine Neutrik quality
- Professional 3-pin female XLR connectivity
- Rugged nickel-plated metal construction
- Silver-plated female contacts
- Unique cage-contact design
- Integrated solder barrier
- Solid-metal latch
- Improved shell-ground continuity
- Professional chuck-type strain relief
- Solder termination
- More than 1,000 specified mating cycles
- Support for common professional cable diameters
- Field serviceability
- Optional colour identification
It is equally at home on a freshly built professional microphone lead or replacing a damaged connector on an existing production cable.
Why Buy Neutrik NC3FXX from GigLife?
GigLife supplies professional connectors, cables, adaptors, tapes, consumables and technical accessories specifically for the entertainment and production industries.
With more than 25 years of hands-on live entertainment industry experience, GigLife understands that reliable connectors are critical parts of cables that may be plugged, unplugged, coiled, toured, repaired and depended upon show after show.
Products are selected by people who work in production and understand the requirements of:
- Audio professionals
- Theatre technicians
- Touring crews
- Production companies
- Film and television departments
- Broadcast facilities
- Recording studios
- AV companies
- Festivals
- Schools and performing arts centres
- Conference venues
- Exhibition contractors
- Equipment-hire businesses
Whether you are manufacturing microphone cables, repairing venue stock, preparing a touring package or maintaining workshop spares, GigLife supplies professional components chosen by people who understand the job.
Orders are dispatched from Brisbane, with Australia-wide shipping available.
GigLife is proudly by the professionals… for the professionals.
