Neutrik NE8FDPS-TOP etherCON TOP Airtight RJ45 Feedthrough – IP65/IP67
Build professional Ethernet infrastructure for demanding outdoor and harsh-environment applications with the Neutrik NE8FDPS-TOP etherCON TOP Airtight RJ45 Feedthrough Chassis Connector.
Part of Neutrik’s premium etherCON TOP – TRUE OUTDOOR PROTECTION range, the NE8FDPS-TOP combines a rugged professional etherCON interface with a straight RJ45 feedthrough, CAT5e / 1 Gigabit Ethernet performance, IP65 and IP67 ingress protection, UV resistance, corrosion resistance, airtight enclosure integration and IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 Class 8 PoE support up to 100 W.
Unlike conventional panel-mounted RJ45 or earlier weather-resistant feedthrough designs, the NE8FDPS-TOP is engineered specifically for equipment manufacturers, permanent outdoor infrastructure and production systems where environmental sealing needs to form part of the equipment enclosure itself.
Professional applications include:
- Outdoor stage infrastructure
- Festivals
- Stadiums and sporting venues
- Theme parks and attractions
- Architectural lighting
- Professional AV
- Outdoor broadcast
- Digital audio networks
- Dante infrastructure
- Lighting-control networks
- Art-Net and sACN systems
- LED screen systems
- Networked PA equipment
- Film and television
- Permanent entertainment infrastructure
- Industrial Ethernet
- Smart venues
- Equipment manufacturers
- Outdoor network control systems
For professional systems requiring a rugged, serviceable Ethernet connection that can form part of a sealed outdoor enclosure, the NE8FDPS-TOP represents one of Neutrik’s most advanced etherCON chassis solutions.
TRUE OUTDOOR PROTECTION – etherCON TOP Airtight
The NE8FDPS-TOP belongs to Neutrik’s TRUE OUTDOOR PROTECTION – TOP family.
The TOP range was developed for entertainment, AV, lighting and industrial equipment that may operate in demanding environmental conditions involving:
- Rain
- Dust
- UV exposure
- Temperature changes
- Outdoor contamination
- Repeated professional handling
The NE8FDPS-TOP goes further than Neutrik’s earlier etherCON TOP feedthrough products by incorporating airtight enclosure sealing as part of the chassis design.
That makes it particularly valuable where the Ethernet connector itself must form part of a properly engineered environmental enclosure.
IP65 and IP67 Protection
Neutrik specifies the NE8FDPS-TOP with:
IP65 and IP67 ingress protection.
These ratings provide protection against dust and water ingress under the relevant standardised test conditions.
IP65 provides protection against:
- Dust ingress
- Water jets
while IP67 includes protection against temporary immersion under the applicable test conditions.
This makes the NE8FDPS-TOP particularly relevant to professional equipment intended for exposed outdoor environments.
Protection Even When Unmated
One of the most significant features of the NE8FDPS-TOP is that Neutrik specifies the environmental protection as being maintained:
even when the connector is unmated and the sealing cap is open.
This is a major distinction from many weather-resistant chassis connectors where the environmental rating depends on:
- A mating connector being installed, or
- A protective cap being fully closed
With the etherCON TOP airtight architecture, the chassis itself is designed to preserve the equipment-side environmental barrier.
This is particularly valuable for:
- Permanent outdoor panels
- Lighting fixtures
- LED systems
- Stadium infrastructure
- Theme-park equipment
- Outdoor AV enclosures
- Equipment that may remain disconnected between events
Airtight Chassis Construction
The “airtight” designation is not simply marketing terminology.
Neutrik specifically designed the NE8FDPS-TOP to provide airtightness suitable for production-line enclosure testing.
This is particularly relevant to equipment manufacturers who need to confirm the integrity of a completed device enclosure during manufacturing.
Potential applications include:
- Outdoor lighting fixtures
- LED display equipment
- Network-control devices
- Outdoor AV equipment
- Entertainment control systems
- Permanent installation products
The airtight chassis interface allows the connector to become part of the environmental design of the equipment rather than being a weak point in an otherwise sealed enclosure.
Straight RJ45 Feedthrough
The “S” configuration of NE8FDPS-TOP uses a straight RJ45 feedthrough.
This allows an RJ45 network cable to connect to the rear of the chassis connector while the front presents the professional etherCON / RJ45 interface.
A typical installation may be:
Internal Network Equipment → RJ45 Patch Cable → NE8FDPS-TOP → External etherCON / RJ45 Cable → Network
This makes equipment integration straightforward because the internal connection remains a conventional RJ45 interface.
No:
- Soldering
- IDC termination
- Punch-down termination
- Custom Ethernet wiring
is required at the feedthrough itself.
etherCON / RJ45 Front Interface
The front of the NE8FDPS-TOP provides Neutrik’s professional etherCON-style connection around the familiar RJ45 data interface.
This makes the connector particularly useful where standard RJ45 networking needs to operate within production environments exposed to:
- Repeated plugging and unplugging
- Touring use
- Stage handling
- Outdoor operation
- Equipment movement
- Temporary production setup
The etherCON architecture provides a more production-oriented mechanical interface around the RJ45 connection.
CAT5e Transmission Performance
Neutrik specifies the NE8FDPS-TOP at:
CAT5e according to TIA/EIA 568C channel specifications
and:
Class D according to ISO/IEC 11801 channel specifications.
The specified frequency range is:
1–100 MHz.
This makes it suitable for professional CAT5e Ethernet networks where the complete installation meets the appropriate network requirements.
1 Gigabit Ethernet
Neutrik identifies the NE8FDPS-TOP as a:
1 Gbit/s feedthrough.
This makes it suitable for a wide range of professional Gigabit Ethernet applications including:
- Digital audio networks
- Lighting networks
- Show control
- Equipment management
- Production data
- Compatible AV networks
- Control infrastructure
The overall network will always operate according to the lowest-rated component in the complete connection path.
CAT5e – Not CAT6
The NE8FDPS-TOP is officially specified by Neutrik as:
CAT5e / Class D
and should be marketed accordingly.
Do not change the product specification to:
- CAT6
- CAT6A
- CAT7
- CAT8
simply because a CAT6 or higher-rated conventional Ethernet cable may be connected elsewhere in the system.
The network channel cannot gain a higher category rating than its lowest-rated component.
For systems requiring formally rated CAT6 or CAT6A infrastructure, select the appropriate connector system specifically specified for that category.
100 W Power over Ethernet
The NE8FDPS-TOP supports:
PoE Type 4 Class 8 according to IEEE 802.3bt
with power delivery of up to:
100 W.
This makes it particularly valuable in modern professional networks where compatible devices receive both:
- Ethernet data
- DC power
through the same network cable.
PoE++ / IEEE 802.3bt
IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 is often informally referred to as PoE++.
For the technically accurate GigLife listing, the strongest wording is:
IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 Class 8 – up to 100 W
rather than relying only on the informal “PoE++” terminology.
Potential compatible PoE applications include:
- Networked lighting hardware
- Cameras
- Control devices
- AV-over-network hardware
- Wireless access points
- Network endpoints
- Intercom systems
- Display and signage equipment
- Professional control systems
Actual delivered power depends on the complete IEEE 802.3bt-compliant network system.
PoE Requires a Complete Compatible Channel
The connector’s 100 W capability does not mean any Ethernet cable or network can automatically deliver 100 W.
The complete path must support the required PoE class, including:
- Power sourcing equipment
- Network cable
- Patch cables
- Connectors
- Feedthroughs
- Powered device
Correct conductor gauge, cable category, terminations and network equipment remain essential.
1.5 A Rated Current per Contact
Neutrik specifies:
Rated Current per Contact: 1.5 A
and:
Rated Voltage: ≤57 V.
These electrical ratings support the connector’s role in high-power PoE applications.
The NE8FDPS-TOP remains an Ethernet/data connector and should not be repurposed as a general-purpose DC power connector.
Low Contact Resistance
Neutrik specifies:
Contact Resistance: <10 mΩ.
This is particularly relevant when PoE is being carried through the connection because unnecessary connector resistance can contribute to:
- Voltage drop
- Heat
- Reduced power efficiency
Professional high-power PoE systems should use appropriately rated components throughout the complete network path.
Electrical Specifications
Neutrik additionally specifies:
Dielectric Strength: 1 kV DC
Insulation Resistance: >0.5 GΩ
Rated Voltage: ≤57 V
Rated Current: 1.5 A per contact
These values form part of the connector’s published electrical specification.
ESD Protection up to 2 kV
The NE8FDPS-TOP incorporates:
ESD protection up to 2 kV.
Electrostatic discharge can be a concern around exposed network interfaces, particularly in equipment that is regularly handled by technicians and operators.
The integrated ESD consideration helps support the connector’s role within professionally designed outdoor electronic equipment.
It should not be interpreted as replacing any additional ESD protection required by the equipment electronics themselves.
UV-Resistant Construction
Outdoor connectors may remain exposed to sunlight for extended periods.
Neutrik specifically designs the etherCON TOP airtight family with:
UV protection.
This is important because prolonged ultraviolet exposure can degrade unsuitable polymers through:
- Brittleness
- Discolouration
- Surface deterioration
- Reduced mechanical performance
UV resistance makes the connector particularly relevant to permanent or semi-permanent outdoor installations.
Corrosion Resistance
Neutrik also specifically identifies:
corrosion resistance
as a feature of the NE8FDPS-TOP.
This is particularly important in installations exposed to:
- Rain
- Humidity
- Coastal environments
- Outdoor contamination
- Temperature cycling
The overall corrosion resistance of the finished equipment still depends on the enclosure, mounting hardware and other materials used around the connector.
Professional Outdoor Lighting Networks
One of the strongest applications for the NE8FDPS-TOP is professional lighting infrastructure.
Modern lighting systems increasingly use Ethernet for:
- Art-Net
- sACN
- Console networking
- Node communication
- Device management
- Fixture configuration
- System monitoring
Permanent outdoor lighting systems therefore need data connections capable of surviving the same environmental conditions as the lighting equipment itself.
Art-Net Networks
Art-Net operates over Ethernet and is widely used throughout professional lighting-control systems.
The NE8FDPS-TOP can provide a rugged CAT5e physical network interface for compatible Art-Net installations.
Potential applications include:
- Outdoor lighting nodes
- Architectural lighting panels
- Stadium lighting networks
- Theme-park systems
- Outdoor stages
The connector simply carries Ethernet data and does not itself convert or process Art-Net.
sACN Networks
sACN is another widely used Ethernet-based lighting-control protocol.
The NE8FDPS-TOP can form part of suitable CAT5e physical infrastructure for:
- Lighting nodes
- Console networks
- Control panels
- Permanent outdoor entertainment systems
Network topology and equipment selection should follow the requirements of the actual lighting system.
Dante and Professional Audio Networks
Professional audio increasingly relies on Ethernet.
Potential CAT5e-compatible applications include systems using:
- Dante
- AES67
- Console networking
- Stage-box networks
- DSP control
- Amplifier control
The NE8FDPS-TOP can provide a rugged outdoor network interface where the particular audio network supports CAT5e Gigabit infrastructure.
The connector does not itself provide Dante or AES67 functionality—it simply forms part of the Ethernet physical connection.
Outdoor PA Infrastructure
Networked PA equipment may require Ethernet connectivity for:
- Audio transport
- Amplifier control
- DSP management
- System monitoring
- Remote configuration
Outdoor venues and stadiums can therefore benefit from a sealed professional network connection that can remain part of permanent infrastructure.
LED Screens and Digital Signage
Neutrik specifically positions etherCON TOP products for demanding entertainment equipment such as:
- Signs
- LED screens
- Lighting
Large outdoor LED and signage systems may require Ethernet for:
- Control
- Content distribution
- Monitoring
- Configuration
- Management
The NE8FDPS-TOP provides a professional panel interface suited to equipment designed for exposed environments.
Stadiums and Sporting Venues
Large sporting venues may contain permanent outdoor network infrastructure supporting:
- Entertainment lighting
- PA control
- Digital signage
- Broadcast
- LED screens
- Production networks
- Venue-control systems
Many of these connection points remain installed outdoors year-round.
The IP65/IP67, UV-resistant and corrosion-resistant design of the NE8FDPS-TOP makes it particularly relevant to this environment.
Theme Parks and Attractions
Theme parks and entertainment attractions may operate networked:
- Lighting
- Audio
- Video
- Show control
- Interactive systems
- Digital signage
across outdoor environments.
Connector systems may therefore face:
- Rain
- UV
- Dust
- Humidity
- Repeated maintenance
- Daily operation
The etherCON TOP airtight system was designed with these demanding professional installations in mind.
Architectural Lighting
Permanent architectural lighting may use Ethernet across:
- Building façades
- Public spaces
- Bridges
- Entertainment precincts
- Landscape installations
- Feature lighting
The NE8FDPS-TOP can provide a professional serviceable network interface while still allowing the equipment enclosure to maintain its environmental barrier.
Festivals and Outdoor Stages
Temporary outdoor events may also benefit from rugged outdoor network interfaces.
Potential applications include:
- Lighting-control infrastructure
- Network nodes
- Audio networks
- LED systems
- Stage control
- Production data
Correct outdoor cable routing and weather management are still essential even when individual connectors carry appropriate environmental ratings.
Outdoor Broadcast
Professional outside broadcast systems increasingly depend on Ethernet for:
- Audio
- Control
- Monitoring
- Equipment management
- Production networks
Outdoor broadcast compounds can expose connectors to demanding weather and repeated handling.
A sealed professional panel interface can therefore be significantly more appropriate than a bare commercial RJ45 socket.
Film and Television
Location film and television production may use Ethernet across:
- Lighting systems
- Production control
- Networked audio
- Monitoring
- AV equipment
- Camera-support infrastructure
The NE8FDPS-TOP can be integrated into custom location equipment designed for outdoor operation.
Professional AV
Professional AV systems increasingly rely on IP networking.
Potential applications include:
- Control networks
- Compatible AV-over-IP systems
- Digital signage
- Networked audio
- Video-system management
- LED systems
- Presentation systems
Where the network application can operate within CAT5e / 1 Gigabit infrastructure, the NE8FDPS-TOP provides a rugged outdoor-capable physical connection.
Smart Venues
Modern venues may run a significant amount of infrastructure over Ethernet.
Potential networks include:
- Entertainment control
- Audio
- Lighting
- Digital signage
- Building control
- Monitoring
- IoT devices
High-power PoE can also reduce the need for separate local power connections for compatible network endpoints.
The NE8FDPS-TOP is particularly well suited to outdoor nodes and exposed equipment where both networking and environmental protection are required.
Equipment Manufacturers
A major target market for this connector is professional equipment manufacturing.
The airtight chassis construction allows manufacturers to design network connectivity into equipment while still performing enclosure-integrity testing on the production line.
Potential products include:
- Outdoor luminaires
- Network nodes
- LED controllers
- AV equipment
- Entertainment-control devices
- Outdoor network interfaces
This is one of the most important differences between NE8FDPS-TOP and earlier weather-resistant etherCON chassis designs.
Front-Mount Design
Neutrik specifies:
Mounting Direction: Front mounting.
The front-mount design allows the chassis connector to be replaced or serviced without necessarily requiring the entire equipment assembly to be dismantled.
Neutrik specifically promotes this as enabling easy maintenance.
This can be particularly valuable in:
- Permanent installations
- Lighting fixtures
- Stadium hardware
- Theme-park systems
- Equipment that remains in service for many years
D-Shape Chassis
The NE8FDPS-TOP uses a:
D-shape chassis format.
This makes it well suited to the familiar professional connector-panel architecture used throughout entertainment and AV equipment.
The front flange integrates neatly with equipment panels alongside other professional interfaces from Neutrik’s TOP ecosystem.
Latch-Lock Connection
Neutrik specifies:
Locking Device: Latch Lock.
This provides positive engagement with compatible etherCON connection hardware rather than relying only on the small plastic latch of a conventional RJ45 plug.
That mechanical protection is particularly valuable in professional environments involving:
- Cable movement
- Touring
- Repeated connection
- Outdoor equipment
- Stage use
Minimum 1,000 Mating Cycles
Neutrik specifies:
Mechanical Lifetime: minimum 1,000 mating cycles.
This makes the NE8FDPS-TOP suitable for professional equipment that may be connected and disconnected repeatedly throughout its operating life.
Actual service life will depend on:
- Handling
- Mating connector condition
- Contamination
- Maintenance
- Environmental exposure
Insertion and Withdrawal Force
Neutrik specifies:
Insertion Force: <30 N
Withdrawal Force: <30 N
These values form part of the connector’s mechanical specification.
Gold-Plated Contacts
The NE8FDPS-TOP uses:
Brass contacts with gold plating.
Gold plating is well suited to low-voltage data interfaces where consistent contact performance is important.
Connector contacts should remain:
- Clean
- Dry
- Undamaged
- Free from contamination
to maintain reliable Ethernet operation.
PA66 Housing
Neutrik specifies the main housing as:
PA66
with the flange using a two-component construction comprising:
PA66 hard component + EPTR soft component.
The combination forms part of the connector’s sealing and mechanical design.
UL94 V-0
Neutrik specifies:
Flammability: V-0 according to UL94.
This forms part of the connector’s professional materials specification.
Operating Temperature
Neutrik specifies a temperature range of:
-30°C to +70°C.
The complete network system may have a narrower operating range according to:
- Ethernet cable
- Connected electronics
- Network switch
- Power sourcing equipment
- Enclosure
- Other components
Always design according to the lowest-rated component.
Standards and Compliance
Neutrik currently lists the NE8FDPS-TOP against requirements including:
- UL 1863
- CSA C22.2 No. 182.4-M90
- IEC 62368-1
- EN IEC 62368-1
- UL 62368-1
- CSA C22.2 No. 62368-1
- Outdoor enclosure requirements under IEC / EN IEC 62368-1 Annex Y
- IEC 60529 ingress-protection requirements
These standards support the connector’s use within professionally engineered data and outdoor equipment.
Compliance of the connector does not automatically make an entire finished enclosure compliant; the complete equipment design and installation must also satisfy the applicable requirements.
NE8FDPS-TOP vs NE8FDP-B-TOP
Both products provide professional etherCON CAT5e RJ45 feedthrough connectivity, but they address different levels of environmental protection.
NE8FDPS-TOP
- Newer etherCON TOP airtight design
- CAT5e / 1 Gbit/s
- IP65 and IP67
- Airtight equipment-enclosure interface
- Protection maintained even unmated with the sealing cap open
- UV resistant
- Corrosion resistant
- 100 W PoE Type 4 Class 8
- 2 kV ESD protection
- Front mount
- Polymer airtight flange construction
NE8FDP-B-TOP
- Earlier etherCON TOP feedthrough architecture
- CAT5e
- IP65
- Environmental rating depends on appropriate TOP mating connector or closed sealing cap
- Black D-shape metal flange
- Not specified as the newer airtight IP67 enclosure interface
For new outdoor equipment where enclosure integrity and unmated environmental sealing are priorities, the NE8FDPS-TOP provides a substantially stronger technical proposition.
NE8FDPS-TOP vs Standard NE8FDP-B
The standard NE8FDP-B is an excellent professional CAT5e feedthrough for protected indoor production infrastructure.
The NE8FDPS-TOP adds the environmental features required for significantly more demanding applications:
- IP65
- IP67
- Airtight construction
- UV protection
- Corrosion resistance
- Outdoor enclosure integration
- 100 W PoE
- 2 kV ESD protection
Choose according to the actual installation environment rather than assuming every etherCON chassis connector offers the same environmental performance.
Straight vs Angled etherCON TOP Airtight Models
Neutrik offers several current TOP airtight chassis configurations.
NE8FDPS-TOP: Straight RJ45 feedthrough
NE8FDPU-TOP: Upward 90-degree RJ45 feedthrough
NE8FDIS-TOP: IDC / internal connection variant
The NE8FDPS-TOP is therefore the natural choice where a conventional straight RJ45 connection is preferred behind the panel.
Protecting Expensive Network Equipment
A panel feedthrough can also reduce repeated wear on expensive network hardware.
Rather than plugging external cables directly into:
- Network switches
- Lighting nodes
- DSP equipment
- Computers
- Audio equipment
- Control devices
the internal equipment can remain connected permanently to the rear of the feedthrough.
Everyday production connections then occur at the replaceable chassis interface.
Installation and Maintenance
For best performance:
- Install the connector in the correct D-shape panel cut-out.
- Follow Neutrik’s current installation instructions.
- Mount from the front as specified.
- Use suitable mounting hardware and panel materials.
- Ensure the integrated sealing surfaces are clean and correctly seated.
- Use appropriately rated Ethernet cable for the application.
- Verify PoE compatibility where high-power delivery is required.
- Protect connected cables from excessive mechanical strain.
- Inspect the connector periodically for contamination or damage.
- Test the complete Ethernet connection before production use.
Where enclosure airtightness or formal IP performance is critical, follow the current Neutrik assembly documentation rather than relying on generic D-size panel-installation practices.
Product Specifications
Brand: Neutrik
Model: NE8FDPS-TOP
Product Family: etherCON TOP Airtight
Product Type: Straight RJ45 feedthrough chassis connector
Gender: Female
Wiring: RJ45 feedthrough
Network Category: CAT5e / Class D
Network Speed: Up to 1 Gbit/s within a compliant network channel
Frequency Range: 1–100 MHz
PoE: IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 Class 8 – up to 100 W
Rated Current: 1.5 A per contact
Rated Voltage: ≤57 V
Contact Resistance: <10 mΩ
Dielectric Strength: 1 kV DC
Insulation Resistance: >0.5 GΩ
ESD Protection: Up to 2 kV
Locking: Latch lock
Chassis Shape: D
Mounting: Front mount
Insertion Force: <30 N
Withdrawal Force: <30 N
Mechanical Life: Minimum 1,000 mating cycles
Contacts: Brass
Contact Plating: Gold
Flange: PA66 hard component + EPTR soft component
Housing: PA66
Ingress Protection: IP65 and IP67
Airtight: Yes – designed for production-line device-enclosure testing
UV Protection: Yes
Corrosion Resistance: Yes
Flammability: UL94 V-0
Temperature Range: -30°C to +70°C
Environmental Performance: Protection maintained even unmated with the sealing cap open
Why Choose the Neutrik NE8FDPS-TOP?
Choose the NE8FDPS-TOP when professional Ethernet infrastructure requires:
- Genuine Neutrik etherCON
- TRUE OUTDOOR PROTECTION
- Airtight equipment-enclosure integration
- IP65 and IP67 protection
- Environmental protection while unmated
- UV-resistant construction
- Corrosion resistance
- CAT5e network performance
- 1 Gigabit Ethernet capability
- PoE Type 4 Class 8 up to 100 W
- 2 kV ESD protection
- RJ45 straight feedthrough
- Front-mount serviceability
- Professional D-shape installation
- Minimum 1,000 mating cycles
It is particularly valuable for permanent outdoor lighting, entertainment, AV, network and control infrastructure where a standard indoor RJ45 or conventional etherCON feedthrough does not provide the required environmental protection.
Why Buy Neutrik NE8FDPS-TOP from GigLife?
GigLife supplies professional connectors, adaptors, cables, 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 how Ethernet has become fundamental to modern audio, lighting, AV, video and control systems—and why outdoor production infrastructure requires more than simply putting a standard network socket into a weather-resistant box.
Products are selected by people who work in production and understand the requirements of:
- Audio professionals
- Lighting technicians
- AV technicians
- Theatre technicians
- Touring crews
- Production companies
- Film and television departments
- Broadcast facilities
- Festivals
- Stadiums
- Theme parks
- Architectural lighting specialists
- Schools and performing arts centres
- Equipment-hire businesses
- Equipment manufacturers
Whether you are building an outdoor lighting node, stadium network panel, permanent festival system, LED controller, AV enclosure or professional outdoor Ethernet interface, GigLife supplies genuine professional components selected 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.
