MCX connector is a type of coaxial RF connector that is about 30% smaller in size than the SMB connector. MCX connectors were designed in the 1980s and have a snap-on coupling mechanism.
The MCX connector has both 50-ohm and 75-ohm impedance options. The MCX plug(male) connector has an outer contact with six slots radially spaced.
The MCX connector offers broadband capability up to 6GHz for 50ohm and is available in a full range for different coaxial cables, PCB applications, and panel mount types.
Mechanical Feature:
MCX plug(male)
- Snap-on coupling.
- Outer contact has six slots radically spaced.
- Outer diameter range is 3.66mm to 3.76mm.
- Plug(Male) center contact.
- 50-ohm MCX plug(male): Insulator nestles up throughout against outer contact and an air gap between the insulator and center contact.
- 75-ohm MCX plug(male): Insulator nestles against the center contact and is not explicitly visible.
MCX jack(female)
- Snap-on coupling.
- Inner diameter range is 43mm to 3.48mm for mating.
- Jack(Female) center contact.
- 50 ohm MCX jack(female): Insulator completely surrounds the jack(female) center contact.
- 75 ohm MCX jack(female): Center contact stands without be completely surrounded by the insulator. The insulator is not explicitly visible.
How to judge MCX connectors’ feature from outline:
The diameter of the MCX plug(male) connector is about 3.70mm, and the outer contact has six slots radially spaced for snap-on with the MCX jack(female) connector.
50 ohm MCX plug(male): The Insulator nestles up throughout against outer contact and an air gap between the insulator and center contact.
75 ohm MCX plug(male): Insulator nestles against the center contact and is not explicitly visible.
The inner diameter of the MCX jack(female) connector is about 3.45mm. The center contact is completely surrounded by the insulator.
50 ohm MCX jack(female): Insulator surrounds jack(female) center contact wholly.
75 ohm MCX jack(female): Center contact is standing without insulator surrounded wholly. The insulator is not explicitly visible.
The cable entry or PCB termination is at 90 degrees to the coupling direction.
The cable entry or PCB termination is at 180 degrees to the coupling direction.
MCX connector jack(female) bulkhead type
MCX connector is designed with snap-on mechanism, so the thread on the MCX connector definitely is for bulkhead mounting purpose.
Rear mount type bulkhead
The MCX connector bulkhead type will go through the panel mounting hole from the inside of the device to the outside and is mounted with a washer and nut from the outside.
Front mount type bulkhead
The MCX connector bulkhead type will go through the panel hole from the outside of the device to the inside and is mounted with a washer and nut from the inside.
PCB type MCX connectors normally have leg lengths of 3.9mm. Four legs and one conductor go through the PCB vertically and are soldered on the rear side of the PCB.
An MCX edge mount type connector will be mounted on the PCB from the board's edge.
SMT (Surface Mount Technology) type MCX connectors have very short legs ranging from 0.5mm to 1.6mm. These legs and the conductor will be mounted directly on the surface of the PCB. (Tape reel packing option is available per requests.)