The EtherCON is a ruggedized and lockable connector for Ethernet over twisted pair wiring. It is manufactured by

Neutrik Neutrik is a Liechtenstein, Liechtensteiner company that manufactures connectors used in audio and video recording studios and concert sound systems. Its product range includes XLR connector, XLR-type connectors, Speakon connector, speakON conn ...

and is designed for

professional audio Professional audio, abbreviated as pro audio, refers to both an activity and a category of high quality, studio-grade audio equipment. Typically it encompasses sound recording, sound reinforcement system setup and audio mixing, and studio mu ...

and stage lighting network applications.

Design

The design is modeled after the

XLR connector The XLR connector is a type of electrical connector primarily used in professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. XLR connectors are cylindical in design, and have three to seven connector pins, and are often employed for analog b ...

with a circular hard metal shell and a locking latch. The cable connector is always male and is designed to fit over a standard 8P8C modular connector. The chassis connector is always female and has the standard form factor of an XLR panel connector. The chassis connector may be mated with an EtherCON connector and a standard 8P8C plug. The chassis connectors are rated for either Cat 5e, Cat 6 or 6A compatibility, with the Cat 5e and 6A models being cross-compatible. (The Cat 6 model utilizes a different shell design from the other models.) Neutrik makes two styles of the connector, one for assembly before the 8P8C plug is attached, and one that will fit over a pre-attached plug. When sealing gaskets are used, EtherCON is capable of providing a waterproof cable connection for harsh environments.

Applications

EtherCON connectors are used on many

audio over Ethernet In audio and broadcast engineering, Audio over Ethernet (sometimes AoE—not to be confused with ATA over Ethernet) is the use of an Ethernet-based network to distribute real-time digital audio. AoE replaces bulky snake cables or audio-specif ...

and

audio over IP Audio over IP (AoIP) is the distribution of digital audio across an IP network such as the Internet. It is used increasingly to provide high-quality audio feeds over long distances. The application is also known as audio contribution over IP (ACI ...

products. EtherCON connectors are also used to transfer data across large

LED display A LED display is a flat panel display that uses an array of light-emitting diodes as pixels for a video display. Their brightness allows them to be used outdoors where they are visible in the sun for store signs and billboards. In recent ...

s in both indoor and outdoor settings.

References

Networking hardware Ethernet Computer connectors Audio engineering {{comp-hardware-stub