N Type Connector & Adapters

A N-type connector is a 50 Ω (75 Ω variants available) coaxial interface with threaded, 5/8-24 unef.

The most common application area is Cellular base stations – RRU-to-antenna jumpers and outdoor antenna feeders.

This page covers the interface, one reference specification, every interface in our range a N-type connector can be adapted to, and the cable families we pair with it.

Overview

Overview

At a glance

Parameter	Specification
Interface	N-type
Impedance	50 Ω (75 Ω variants available)
Coupling	Threaded, 5/8-24 UNEF
Interface frequency class	DC–11 GHz class in general-purpose grades; precision grades extend higher. The reference part quoted below is rated 0–3 GHz.
Gender	Male (centre pin) / Female (centre socket)
Body styles	Straight, right-angle, bulkhead, panel and clamp bodies
Interface standard	MIL-STD-348 / IEC 61169 series
Performance data	Full datasheet on request

Representative specification

The figures below are a reference point for the series. They belong to one part – N male connector for LMR400 / RG8 cable, solderless – and are nominal factory values, not measured values. Other parts in the series differ.

Item	Value
Reference part	N male connector for LMR400 / RG8 cable, solderless
Drawing number	Available on request
Revision	Current revision

Electrical

Parameter	Value
Impedance	50 Ω
Frequency range	0–3 GHz
VSWR	≤ 1.15
Withstand voltage	2500 V rms
Working voltage	1500 V
Contact resistance – centre	≤ 1 mΩ
Contact resistance – outer	≤ 1 mΩ
Insulation resistance	≥ 5000 MΩ

Mechanical and environmental

Parameter	Value
Temperature range	-55 °C to +155 °C
Durability	> 500 matings

Material and plating

Part	Base material	Plating
Body	Brass	Nickel plated
Centre conductor	Brass	Gold plated
Insulator	PTFE	—
O-ring sealing	6146 silastic	—
Crimping suite	Copper alloy	Nickel plated

Source: WorldPeak factory specification sheet (nominal values, not measured). Interface capabilities quoted here describe the connector standard, not the performance of any particular part.

Compatibility and adapters

A N-type connector joins to almost every other interface we make. Which adapter you need depends on whether both ends sit in the same impedance system, which interface sets the frequency ceiling, and whether the joint is made on a rigid adapter or a pre-made pigtail. All 28 other interfaces are listed below.

⛔ N-type and UHF (PL-259) share a 5/8-24 thread. Never thread a PL-259 onto an N-type connector – the interface is not compatible and the centre contact will be damaged. Use an N male to UHF female (SO-239) adapter instead.

Adapter matrix – N-type to every interface in our range

Interface	Verdict	Adapter required	Typical use
BNC	✅ Direct	BNC	Test, video, lab
HN type	✅ Direct	HN type	High-voltage RF
LC coaxial	✅ Direct	LC coaxial	Legacy broadcast
SC coaxial	✅ Direct	SC coaxial	Legacy industrial RF
TNC	✅ Direct	TNC	Vehicle / marine radio
UHF	⛔ Do not force	N male to UHF female (SO-239)	Amateur / CB radio
10-32	✅ Direct	10-32	Compact panels
BMA	✅ Direct	BMA	Rack blind-mate / ATE
MCX	✅ Direct	MCX	GPS / wireless module
NEX-10	✅ Direct	NEX-10	5G small cell
QMA	✅ Direct	QMA	Dense RRU panels
SMA	✅ Direct	SMA	Test, Wi-Fi, GPS
SMB	✅ Direct	SMB	Rack / panel wiring
SMC	✅ Direct	SMC	Instrument panels
SMP	✅ Direct	SMP	Board-to-board blind mate
SSMA	✅ Direct	SSMA	Microwave modules
FME	✅ Direct	FME	Mobile antenna pigtail
4.3-10	✅ Direct	4.3-10	5G / 4G antenna port
7/16 DIN	✅ Direct	7/16 DIN	Macro site / broadcast
1-5/8 EIA	✅ Direct	Flange to 1-5/8 EIA	High-power feeder
3-1/8 EIA	✅ Direct	Flange to 3-1/8 EIA	High-power HF feeder
7/8 EIA	✅ Direct	Flange to 7/8 EIA	Base station feeder
CRC9	⚠️ Conditions	Pre-made pigtail	Cellular dongle
TS9	⚠️ Conditions	Pre-made pigtail	Cellular modem
U.FL	⚠️ Conditions	Pre-made pigtail	Wi-Fi / LTE module
1.0/2.3 (75 Ω)	⚠️ Conditions	50/75 Ω matching pad	Central office / DSL
1.6/5.6 (75 Ω)	⚠️ Conditions	50/75 Ω matching pad	Telecom 75 ohm
F-type (75 Ω)	⚠️ Conditions	50/75 Ω matching pad	CATV / satellite

Frequency rule for N-type: the lower-rated interface wins, then the adapter caps it again. On a medium-size line the practical ceiling is often set by the cable rather than by either connector, so send us the band and the cable and we will confirm which end limits it.

Direct: 21 interfaces. With conditions: 6. Do not force: UHF.

Recommended coaxial cable

The cable sets the loss, the bend radius and the termination method. These are the families we normally pair with a N-type connector.

Cable family	Typical use
LMR400 / RG8	Solderless clamp bodies for base station jumpers and antenna feeders
LMR600	Low-loss runs where a larger conductor is required
LMR300 / LMR240	Short jumpers between equipment and antenna ports
RG316	Flexible leads inside equipment cabinets
1/2 in feeder and 1/2 in super flexible	Feeders and jumper assemblies, clamp termination
5D-FB / 7/8 in cable	Outdoor feeders with clamp-terminated N bodies
1/4 in super flexible	Compact right-angle jumpers

Installation and handling notes

Support the weight of the run. A joint that carries the load will loosen, whatever the coupling type.
Clamp bodies rely on the gasket, not on torque. Seat the gasket dry, then tighten the gland evenly in two passes.
Prepare the cable end square. An over-long dielectric on a feeder joint shows up as a return-loss spike at the top of the band.
Wrap self-amalgamating tape from the cable up onto the body. Tape laid the other way funnels water into the joint.
Log torque and date on every outdoor joint. It is the only way to tell a maintenance problem from a design problem later.

Typical applications

Cellular base stations – RRU-to-antenna jumpers and outdoor antenna feeders
Wireless ISPs and point-to-point / point-to-multipoint bridges
Amateur radio HF, VHF and UHF stations
Broadcast and land-mobile radio systems
Radar front ends and RF test benches

Common mistakes to avoid

Forcing a PL-259 (UHF) plug onto an N-type connector. Both use a 5/8-24 thread, so the plug will start to go on – and the interface geometry does not match. The centre contact is usually damaged.
Mixing 50 Ω and 75 Ω N parts in the same link.
Leaving outdoor joints under-torqued, which lets water past the O-ring.

Naming and terminology

This interface also appears on drawings as N type – same interface, same series. Slash and hyphen spellings are interchangeable throughout our range. Send the drawing as it stands and we will confirm the N-type item against it.

Related interfaces

BNC connectors - Test, video, lab
HN type connectors - High-voltage RF
LC coaxial connectors - Legacy broadcast
SC coaxial connectors - Legacy industrial RF

Why WorldPeak

WorldPeak (Zhenjiang WorldPeak Communication Co., Ltd.) builds medium-size coaxial interfaces for outdoor, vehicle and equipment-room work. We make the connector and terminate the cable, so the assembly arrives matched to the cable you already use.

This series is one of 29 we make. The interfaces most often paired with it are BNC, HN type, LC coaxial and SC coaxial.

One supplier for the whole chain - interfaces, adapters, jumper assemblies, coaxial cable, lightning arresters, antennas and accessories.
Every series on our list is made in-house, so a quotation is built around your interface and cable combination rather than a catalogue number.
OEM / ODM support - custom interfaces and assemblies for outdoor and vehicle installations, your part number and packaging.
Quality and compliance - CE and RoHS. Interface dimensions follow the MIL-STD-348 / IEC 61169 series.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What does a N-type connector adapt to?

A. 21 interfaces directly and 6 with a condition (a matching pad, a flange chain or a pre-made pigtail). See the matrix above.

Q. Which cable should I use with a N-type connector?

A. Start with LMR400 / RG8 - solderless clamp bodies for base station jumpers and antenna feeders As an alternative, LMR600 suits low-loss runs where a larger conductor is required

Q. Why must I not thread a PL-259 onto an N-type connector?

A. PL-259 (UHF) and N-type share a 5/8-24 thread, so the plug starts to go on. The interface geometry differs and the centre contact is usually damaged. Use an N male to UHF female (SO-239) adapter.

Next step

Send us the two interfaces you need to join, the cable you are using and the frequency band. We will confirm the right N-type part, adapter or assembly and send the specification sheet for that exact part.

Request a quotation or a datasheet - OEM and ODM enquiries welcome.

Email [email protected] WhatsApp +86 139 5140 0893