Seetronic SCWM5-B Male 5-Pin XLR IP65 Connector – Black Housing, Gold Contacts
Build professional DMX and 5-pin XLR cables for demanding production environments with the Seetronic SCWM5-B Male 5-Pin XLR IP65 Cable Connector, featuring a black-plated zinc-alloy housing, gold-plated contacts and an environmentally protected cable-entry system.
Part of Seetronic’s W Series IP65 XLR range, the SCWM5-B is designed for professional applications where a conventional non-IP-rated XLR connector may not provide sufficient protection against dust and water.
It combines:
- Professional 5-pin male XLR construction
- IP65-rated environmental protection
- Black-plated zinc-alloy housing
- Gold-plated copper-alloy contacts
- Compact no-ring construction
- Internal-thread housing design
- Polyurethane cable sealing sleeve
- POM strain relief
- 5–8mm cable O.D. compatibility
- Maximum conductor size of 1.0mm² / 18 AWG
- 7.5A rated current per contact
- Less than 50V rated voltage
- More than 1,000 mating cycles
- IEC 61076-2-103 compliance
For the entertainment industry, its strongest application is professional 5-pin DMX512 lighting-control cabling, particularly for touring, outdoor events and temporary production environments.
Professional 5-Pin Male XLR Cable Connector
The SCWM5-B is a:
5-pin male XLR cable connector
designed to terminate onto professional multicore signal or data cable.
The five male contacts are housed within a rugged metal XLR shell and mate with a compatible female 5-pin XLR connection.
Potential applications include:
- DMX512 lighting control
- Moving-light data
- LED fixture control
- Lighting-console data
- Outdoor lighting systems
- Theatre lighting
- Architectural lighting
- Touring production
- Film and television lighting
- Exhibition lighting
- Compatible 5-pin control systems
- Custom production cable assemblies
Built for Professional DMX512
The 5-pin XLR format is the standard physical connector used for professional DMX512-A lighting-control connections.
This makes the SCWM5-B particularly relevant to:
- Lighting consoles
- Moving lights
- LED fixtures
- Dimmers
- Media servers
- Architectural lighting systems
- DMX splitters
- Nodes
- RDM-capable equipment
- Touring lighting packages
When building DMX cables, use cable specifically designed for digital lighting-control data rather than assuming that ordinary microphone cable provides the correct transmission characteristics.
DMX512 5-Pin Pin Assignment
For standard DMX512-A applications, the conventional 5-pin assignment is:
Pin 1 – Data Link Common
Pin 2 – Data 1−
Pin 3 – Data 1+
Pin 4 – Data 2− / optional secondary data link
Pin 5 – Data 2+ / optional secondary data link
The primary DMX data link therefore uses pins:
1, 2 and 3
while pins 4 and 5 are available for the optional second data pair defined by the standard.
Always follow the equipment manufacturer’s wiring requirements and current DMX standards when manufacturing professional cables.
Use Proper DMX Cable
A professional DMX cable should use suitable impedance-controlled data cable designed for EIA-485 / DMX operation.
A connector alone does not make a cable DMX compliant.
Overall performance depends on:
- Cable impedance
- Twisted-pair construction
- Shielding
- Connector termination
- Cable length
- Network topology
- Correct termination at the end of the DMX line
For professional production inventory, dedicated DMX cable should be used rather than conventional microphone cable.
Excellent for Outdoor DMX Systems
One of the strongest reasons to select the SCWM5-B rather than a conventional 5-pin XLR is its:
IP65 protection class.
This makes it particularly useful for cables deployed in:
- Outdoor festivals
- Outdoor concerts
- Temporary stages
- Architectural lighting
- Sporting events
- Outdoor theatre
- Film and television locations
- Exterior installations
- Touring systems exposed to changing weather
The environmental protection helps increase resistance to dust and water ingress when the connector is assembled and used as part of an appropriately rated connection.
What IP65 Means
An IP65 rating represents protection against:
- Dust ingress
- Water jets
under the defined IP test conditions.
It should not be interpreted as meaning the connector is:
- Submersible
- Suitable for prolonged immersion
- Equivalent to IP67
- Suitable for underwater use
The environmental performance of a complete connection also depends on the mating connector, cable, assembly and system design.
IP65 Requires the Complete Connection to Be Considered
The SCWM5-B itself is part of Seetronic’s IP65 W-Series connector system.
For a finished connection to retain the intended environmental protection, technicians should consider:
- Correct connector assembly
- Correct cable diameter
- Cable-entry sealing
- Compatible mating connector
- Condition of sealing surfaces
- Correct mating
- Overall equipment enclosure rating
A standard non-IP-rated mating component should not automatically be assumed to create an IP65 connection simply because the SCWM5-B is IP65 rated.
For weather-exposed professional cable systems, use compatible IP-rated components throughout the connection.
Matching Female Connector – SCWF5-B
The logical female cable connector counterpart is:
Seetronic SCWF5-B
which provides:
- 5-pin female XLR
- IP65 protection
- Black-plated housing
- Gold-plated contacts
- 5–8mm cable compatibility
Together, these connectors can be used when building environmentally protected professional 5-pin XLR cable systems.
Black-Plated Zinc-Alloy Housing
Seetronic specifies the SCWM5-B housing material as:
Zinc alloy
with:
Black plating.
The black finish integrates neatly into professional production environments where dark hardware is generally preferred.
Potential environments include:
- Stage lighting systems
- Touring racks
- Truss-mounted fixtures
- Outdoor production
- Film sets
- Theatre
- Broadcast
- Corporate AV
Gold-Plated Contacts
Seetronic specifies:
Contact Material: Copper alloy
Contact Plating: Gold
The gold-plated contacts provide the electrical mating interface with the corresponding female connector.
The measurable electrical specification includes:
Contact Resistance: ≤3mΩ
rather than relying purely on broad marketing claims about conductivity.
Five Contacts for Professional Control Systems
The SCWM5-B provides five individual electrical contacts.
For professional DMX512, those contacts provide:
- Data-link common
- Primary differential data pair
- Optional secondary differential pair
The connector can also be used in other equipment that specifically requires a compatible 5-pin XLR connection.
However, 5-pin XLR does not by itself identify the signal being carried.
Always verify the pinout before connecting unfamiliar equipment.
Do Not Assume Every 5-Pin XLR Is DMX
Five-pin XLR is used in a variety of specialist applications.
Examples can include:
- Lighting control
- Communications
- Intercom
- Equipment control
- Manufacturer-specific systems
Two devices having physically compatible 5-pin XLR connectors does not automatically mean their electrical signals are compatible.
Verify:
- Pin assignment
- Signal type
- Voltage
- Equipment documentation
before making or connecting cables.
Compact No-Ring Design
Seetronic describes the W Series connector as having a:
No-ring design
for a more compact connector body.
This helps minimise unnecessary external components while retaining the full metal XLR construction.
A compact cable connector can be particularly useful in:
- Dense lighting rigs
- Equipment racks
- Stage boxes
- Touring systems
- Production looms
where several connectors may be positioned close together.
Internal-Thread Housing Design
Seetronic uses an:
Internal-thread metal housing design
in the SCWM5-B.
This construction forms part of the connector’s mechanical assembly and is intended to create a secure professional cable connector suitable for repeated production use.
Polyurethane Cable Sealing Sleeve
The rear boot incorporates a:
Polyurethane sealing sleeve
around the cable-entry area.
Seetronic specifically uses this feature to help protect the cable from bending stress while contributing to the environmental sealing of the connector assembly.
This is particularly useful for cables that are regularly:
- Coiled
- Deployed
- Disconnected
- Packed
- Transported
- Reinstalled
during touring and event production.
POM Strain Relief
The internal strain-relief component is manufactured from:
POM – Polyoxymethylene
and mechanically secures the cable within the connector.
Effective strain relief helps prevent pulling forces on the cable from being transferred directly to the soldered conductor terminations.
This is especially important in:
- Touring
- Rental inventory
- Theatre
- Festivals
- Outdoor production
- Cable-looms
- Repeated-use DMX cables
Cable O.D. – 5 to 8mm
Seetronic specifies a supported cable outside diameter of:
5mm to 8mm.
Selecting a cable within the specified range is important both for:
- Mechanical strain relief
- Environmental sealing
A cable that is too small or too large may prevent the rear sealing and strain-relief components from functioning as intended.
Always check the actual finished cable diameter before ordering or assembling connectors.
Maximum Conductor Size
Seetronic specifies:
Maximum conductor size: 1.0mm²
or:
18 AWG.
This is more than adequate for typical professional DMX and low-voltage control cabling.
The actual cable should still be selected according to:
- Signal type
- Electrical characteristics
- Installation requirements
- Equipment manufacturer recommendations
Solder Termination
The SCWM5-B uses solder termination.
Professional assembly should include:
- Correct cable stripping
- Proper conductor preparation
- Correct pin identification
- Controlled soldering temperature
- Clean solder joints
- No solder bridges
- No loose conductor strands
- Correct strain-relief assembly
- Correct rear sealing assembly
Seetronic lists solderability in accordance with:
IEC 68-2-20.
Build DMX Cables Carefully
When assembling a professional DMX cable:
- Confirm the cable is suitable for DMX/data transmission.
- Confirm cable diameter is between 5mm and 8mm.
- Slide the required rear connector components onto the cable before soldering.
- Strip the jacket carefully.
- Preserve the twisted data-pair construction as close to the connector as practical.
- Identify each conductor correctly.
- Terminate pin 1 to data-link common/shield as required by the cable design.
- Terminate Data 1− to pin 2.
- Terminate Data 1+ to pin 3.
- Terminate the optional secondary pair to pins 4 and 5 where required.
- Inspect all solder joints.
- Confirm there are no shorts between contacts.
- Position the POM strain relief correctly.
- Ensure the cable sealing system is correctly assembled.
- Fully assemble the connector.
- Test the completed cable before deployment.
Test Every Completed DMX Cable
Professional cable builders should verify:
- Pin 1 continuity
- Pin 2 continuity
- Pin 3 continuity
- Pin 4 continuity where used
- Pin 5 continuity where used
- No pin-to-pin shorts
- Shield/common continuity
- Correct polarity
- Mechanical cable retention
- Connector mating
- Cable integrity
For production inventories, a dedicated DMX/data cable tester is preferable to continuity testing alone.
Contact Resistance
Seetronic specifies:
≤3mΩ
contact resistance.
Low connection resistance forms part of the connector’s specified electrical performance.
Capacitance Between Contacts
Seetronic specifies:
≤7pF
capacitance between contacts.
This is relevant to signal integrity in data and professional signal applications.
Insulation Resistance
Seetronic specifies:
>10GΩ initially
for insulation resistance.
Dielectric Strength
The SCWM5-B is specified at:
1.5kV DC
dielectric strength.
This is an electrical test characteristic and should not be interpreted as a working-voltage rating.
The actual published rated voltage is:
<50V.
Rated Current
Seetronic specifies:
7.5A per contact.
This is a component electrical rating.
It does not mean the connector is appropriate for Australian 230/240V mains-power applications.
Rated Voltage
The SCWM5-B is specified for:
<50V.
It is designed for professional low-voltage signal and control applications.
It should not be used as:
- A mains-power connector
- A replacement for powerCON / TRUE1-style connectors
- General electrical power distribution
- 230/240V lighting power
More Than 1,000 Mating Cycles
Seetronic specifies:
More than 1,000 mating cycles.
This makes the connector suitable for professional systems where cables are repeatedly:
- Plugged
- Unplugged
- Deployed
- Packed
- Transported
Actual life will also depend on handling, contamination, mating-component condition and maintenance.
Insertion and Withdrawal Force
Seetronic specifies:
Insertion Force: ≤20N
Withdrawal Force: ≤20N
for the connector.
Latch Lock
The SCWM5-B uses the conventional XLR:
Latch-lock system.
When mated with a compatible female connector, the female latch engages the male connector housing to provide a secure mechanical connection.
This is particularly valuable in production environments where accidental disconnection could interrupt lighting-control data.
PA Boot and Insert
Seetronic specifies:
Boot: PA
Insert: PA
for the connector’s insulating and rear-body components.
POM Strain Relief
The internal cable-retention component is:
POM
providing the mechanical strain-relief function around the cable.
UL94 HB Flammability Grade
Seetronic publishes:
UL 94 HB
for the connector’s flame-retardant material grade.
This is a material flammability classification and should not be confused with an environmental IP rating.
Operating Temperature
The SCWM5-B is specified for:
-30°C to +80°C.
This broad temperature range suits a wide range of professional production environments.
The complete cable assembly may have a narrower operating range depending on the cable used.
IEC 61076-2-103
Seetronic specifies compliance with:
IEC 61076-2-103
for the XLR connector interface.
This is the relevant connector standard for professional circular audio/control XLR formats.
Touring Lighting Systems
The SCWM5-B is particularly well suited to touring lighting inventory.
Touring cables are repeatedly:
- Deployed
- Connected
- Coiled
- Packed
- Transported
- Exposed to dust
- Used outdoors
- Reconfigured
The IP65 W-Series construction gives production companies an option where additional environmental protection is beneficial compared with a standard unsealed XLR.
Outdoor Festivals
Outdoor festivals are one of the strongest use cases.
Lighting-control cabling may be exposed to:
- Dust
- Humidity
- Rain
- Wet stages
- Ground moisture
- Changing weather
An IP-rated connector can form part of a more robust weather-management strategy.
It is still essential to use appropriately rated mating equipment and follow the event’s electrical and weather-management procedures.
Moving Lights
Professional moving lights commonly use 5-pin XLR for:
- DMX input
- DMX output
The SCWM5-B can therefore be used when building professional data leads for compatible:
- Moving heads
- Wash fixtures
- Beam fixtures
- Profile fixtures
- Hybrid fixtures
where the cable and equipment are designed for 5-pin DMX.
LED Fixtures
Potential applications include:
- LED PAR fixtures
- LED battens
- Pixel fixtures
- LED washes
- Architectural fixtures
- Outdoor LED fixtures
Again, the connector should form part of a correctly specified DMX/data cable assembly.
Lighting Consoles
Professional lighting consoles normally use standard 5-pin XLR DMX ports.
The SCWM5-B can therefore form part of data cabling between:
- Consoles
- Opto splitters
- DMX nodes
- Fixtures
- Processing equipment
Where the console is indoors and the field connection is outdoors, consider the environmental rating of the complete signal path rather than only one connector.
RDM Systems
RDM – Remote Device Management – operates over compatible DMX512 infrastructure.
The SCWM5-B connector itself is protocol-neutral and may be used as part of an RDM-capable cabling system provided:
- The cable is suitable
- The wiring is correct
- The connected equipment supports RDM
No special pin reassignment is required simply because RDM is being used.
Theatre
Theatre lighting departments can use this connector for:
- Main-stage DMX
- Touring productions
- Outdoor theatre
- Temporary systems
- Lighting racks
- Followspot/control infrastructure
- Equipment-hire inventory
The black finish integrates neatly into theatre environments where visible technical hardware should remain discreet.
Film and Television
Film and television lighting systems increasingly rely on networked and DMX-controlled fixtures.
The SCWM5-B can be useful for:
- Location lighting
- Exterior shoots
- Studio lighting
- LED fixtures
- Effects lighting
- Temporary lighting-control networks
Its IP65 design is particularly useful where location work is exposed to dust or changing weather.
Architectural Lighting
Architectural and temporary exterior lighting frequently uses DMX control.
Potential applications include:
- Building illumination
- Outdoor installations
- Public events
- Temporary architectural projection
- Festival precincts
- Public-space lighting
Always ensure the complete connector system and equipment enclosure are rated appropriately for the environment.
Exhibitions and Corporate Events
Professional event contractors may use 5-pin DMX throughout:
- Exhibition stands
- Conference stages
- Product launches
- Corporate events
- Awards
- Brand activations
The SCWM5-B offers an environmentally protected option for cable inventories that may move between indoor and outdoor work.
Equipment-Hire Companies
Rental and production companies can use the SCWM5-B for:
- DMX cable builds
- Replacement connectors
- Cable repairs
- Touring stock
- Outdoor data leads
- Custom loom manufacture
A field-serviceable solder connector can allow damaged cable assemblies to be repaired rather than discarded.
Standard 5-Pin XLR vs IP65 W-Series
A standard 5-pin XLR is appropriate for many protected indoor applications.
The SCWM5-B becomes particularly useful where:
- Dust protection matters
- Water exposure is possible
- Outdoor production is routine
- Cable inventory sees harsher conditions
The environmental protection of the complete connection still depends on the rest of the system.
SCWM5-B vs SCWF5-B
SCWM5-B
- Male
- 5-pin
- IP65
- Black-plated housing
- Gold-plated contacts
- 5–8mm cable O.D.
SCWF5-B
- Female
- 5-pin
- IP65
- Black-plated housing
- Gold-plated contacts
- 5–8mm cable O.D.
Together they provide male and female cable-end options within Seetronic’s W-Series IP65 range.
SCWM5-B vs Standard S-Series 5-Pin Male
Seetronic also manufactures standard, non-W-Series 5-pin XLR cable connectors.
Choose the SCWM5-B where the application specifically benefits from:
- IP65 environmental protection
- Outdoor use
- Sealed cable entry
- W-Series construction
For protected indoor systems where environmental sealing is unnecessary, a conventional S-Series connector may provide a simpler option.
SCWM5-B vs SCWM5-B-67
Seetronic also produces:
SCWM5-B-67
with an IP67 rating.
The distinction is important.
SCWM5-B
Protection: IP65
SCWM5-B-67
Protection: IP67
Do not describe the standard SCWM5-B as IP67 or submersible.
Use the appropriate model for the environmental protection level required by the application.
Product Specifications
Brand: Seetronic
Model: SCWM5-B
Series: W Series IP65
Connector Type: XLR cable connector
Gender: Male
Number of Contacts: 5
Primary Professional Application: DMX512 and compatible 5-pin low-voltage signal/control systems
Housing: Zinc alloy
Housing Finish: Black plated
Contacts: Copper alloy
Contact Plating: Gold
Cable O.D.: 5–8mm
Maximum Conductor Size: 1.0mm² / 18 AWG
Termination: Solder
Locking: XLR latch lock
Contact Resistance: ≤3mΩ
Capacitance Between Contacts: ≤7pF
Insulation Resistance: >10GΩ initially
Dielectric Strength: 1.5kV DC
Rated Current: 7.5A per contact
Rated Voltage: <50V
Insertion Force: ≤20N
Withdrawal Force: ≤20N
Mechanical Life: >1,000 mating cycles
Boot: PA
Insert: PA
Strain Relief: POM
Cable Sealing: Polyurethane sealing sleeve
Protection Class: IP65
Flammability Grade: UL94 HB
Temperature Range: -30°C to +80°C
Standard: IEC 61076-2-103
Solderability: IEC 68-2-20 compliant
Key Features
- Professional 5-pin male XLR cable connector
- Seetronic W Series IP65 construction
- IP65 dust and water protection
- Strong choice for professional DMX512 cable builds
- Black-plated zinc-alloy housing
- Gold-plated copper-alloy contacts
- Compact no-ring design
- Internal-thread metal housing
- Polyurethane cable sealing sleeve
- POM cable strain relief
- 5–8mm cable compatibility
- Up to 1.0mm² / 18 AWG conductors
- ≤3mΩ contact resistance
- ≤7pF contact capacitance
- 10GΩ initial insulation resistance
- 7.5A/contact component rating
- More than 1,000 mating cycles
- -30°C to +80°C operating temperature
- IEC 61076-2-103 compliant
- Ideal for touring, festivals and outdoor lighting systems
Why Choose the Seetronic SCWM5-B?
Choose the SCWM5-B where a professional 5-pin XLR cable requires:
- Genuine Seetronic construction
- Male 5-pin XLR interface
- Professional DMX512 suitability
- IP65 environmental protection
- Black metal housing
- Gold-plated contacts
- Compact construction
- Strong strain relief
- Cable sealing
- 5–8mm cable compatibility
- Outdoor-production suitability
- More than 1,000 mating cycles
- Professional solder termination
It is particularly useful for production companies and technicians building DMX cable inventory that may regularly move between indoor venues, festivals, touring stages and outdoor events.
Why Buy Seetronic SCWM5-B from GigLife?
GigLife supplies professional connectors, cable components, adaptors, tapes, consumables and production hardware specifically for the entertainment and live-event industries.
With more than 25 years of hands-on live entertainment industry experience, GigLife understands that a DMX cable is not simply “five wires with plugs on the ends”.
Professional cable systems need the correct:
- Connector
- Cable
- Pinout
- Strain relief
- Environmental protection
- Assembly
- Testing
to perform reliably in real-world production conditions.
Products are selected by people who work in production and understand the requirements of:
- Lighting technicians
- Lighting designers
- Production electricians
- Theatre technicians
- Touring crews
- Production companies
- Festivals
- Film and television departments
- Broadcast
- AV technicians
- Corporate production
- Exhibition contractors
- Equipment-hire companies
- Schools and performing arts centres
- Cable manufacturers and repair workshops
Whether you are building weather-resistant DMX cables, repairing touring stock, preparing festival lighting infrastructure or restocking a professional cable workshop, 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.
