1. What is a FAKRA Connector?
The FAKRA connector is a standardized 50 Ω coaxial interface for automotive RF signals — GPS, AM/FM, DAB, satellite radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and analog/digital cameras. It was standardized by the German FAKRA committee and is now used globally across all major vehicle platforms.
What distinguishes FAKRA from a generic coax connector is its secondary locking mechanism: a snap-on latch that provides an audible click when fully engaged. This prevents accidental disconnection under vibration — essential for automotive use. The connector is also mechanically keyed by color code: each housing color (A through Z) has a unique internal geometry that prevents mismating with different codes.
2. FAKRA Coaxial Pinout: Center Pin and Outer Shield
FAKRA is a coaxial connector — it has only two electrical contacts, not a multi-pin layout:
| Contact | Function | Connection | Impedance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center pin | RF signal (inner conductor) | Coax center conductor → PCB trace or device input | 50 Ω nominal |
| Outer shell | Ground / Shield (outer conductor) | Coax braid → chassis ground / PCB ground plane | 0 Ω (DC ground) |
Crimp Termination
Both contacts are terminated by crimping, not soldering:
- Inner ferrule: Crimped to the stripped center conductor (0.5-1.0 mm² typical). This is the signal path — a poor crimp here causes high insertion loss.
- Outer ferrule: Crimped over the cable jacket and braid. This provides both mechanical strain relief and 360° shield termination — a poor crimp here causes EMI failure.
3. FAKRA Connector Variants: Plug vs Jack, Straight vs Right-Angle
| Variant | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Plug (Male) | Protruding center pin, inner mating interface | Cable end that plugs into an ECU or device jack |
| Jack (Female) | Socket for center pin, outer mating interface | PCB-mount receptacle or inline cable connector that receives a plug |
| Straight | Cable exits in line with connector axis | General purpose, best for panel-mount and bulkhead applications |
| Right-angle | Cable exits at 90° to connector axis | Tight spaces — behind dashboard, inside mirror housing, under headliner |
| Bulkhead / Panel mount | Mounts through a panel with nut or snap-in retention | Pass-through from exterior to interior (shark-fin antenna base, firewall) |
| Waterproof (Code Z) | Integrated sealing ring, IP67 or IP69K | Exterior cameras, bumper sensors, shark-fin antenna connections |
4. FAKRA Color Codes at a Glance
FAKRA connectors use 14 mechanically keyed color codes. Each code has a unique internal geometry that physically prevents mismating. The most common codes are:
| Code | Color | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| A | Black | Universal / DAB radio / General RF |
| C | Blue | GPS / GNSS antenna |
| D | Bordeaux Violet | Cellular / 3G / 4G / 5G antenna |
| E | Green | Ethernet (100BASE-T1, legacy, declining) |
| H | Purple | Bluetooth / Wi-Fi / V2X antenna |
| K | Curry Yellow | Satellite radio (SDARS: Sirius/XM) |
| L | Light Green | Camera video (analog CVBS) |
| Z | Water Blue | Universal waterproof (IP67/IP69K) |
For the complete FAKRA color code chart with frequency ranges and cable recommendations, see our FAKRA Color Code Chart — a separate printable reference page.
5. FAKRA Cable Types: RG174, RG316, Dacar 302
| Parameter | RG174 | RG316 | Dacar 302 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 50 Ω | 50 Ω | 50 Ω |
| Outer diameter | 2.8 mm | 2.5 mm | 2.8 mm |
| Attenuation @ 1 GHz | 1.5 dB/m | 1.1 dB/m | 0.85 dB/m |
| Temperature range | -40°C to +85°C | -55°C to +200°C | -40°C to +125°C |
| Dielectric | Solid PE | PTFE (Teflon) | Foam PE |
| Jacket | PVC | FEP | XLPE |
| Best for | Interior, low-frequency (AM/FM, DAB) | High-temp engine bay (GPS, cellular) | High-frequency exterior (GPS, Wi-Fi, V2X, cameras) |
6. How to Specify a FAKRA Cable Assembly
When requesting a quote for a custom FAKRA cable assembly, provide the following:
| Specification Item | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Connector family | FAKRA |
| FAKRA code / color | A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Z — or customer-specified |
| Connector gender | Plug (male) / jack (female), based on mating interface |
| Connector direction | Straight, right-angle, bulkhead / panel mount |
| Cable type | RG174, RG316, Dacar 302/535/647, or customer-specified coax |
| Cable length | Total length and tolerance (e.g., 2000 mm ± 10 mm) |
| Shielding | Braided shield, 360° termination at both ends |
| Environment | Interior, exterior, engine bay — IP rating if waterproof required |
| Test requirement | Continuity, impedance (50 Ω), insertion loss, return loss |
| Documents needed | Drawing, mating connector part number, sample photo |
7. FAKRA vs Mini FAKRA: When to Stay vs Upgrade
Standard FAKRA remains the correct choice for analog RF antenna applications (GPS, AM/FM, satellite radio) and legacy camera links. For new multi-camera ADAS platforms, Mini FAKRA (HFM) offers 4 channels in one compact housing — see our Mini FAKRA Connector Guide for details.
| Parameter | FAKRA | Mini FAKRA (HFM) |
|---|---|---|
| Channels per housing | 1 | Up to 4 |
| Connector size | ~14 mm | ~11 mm |
| Backward compatible? | — | No — different interface |
| Best for | RF antennas, single cameras | Multi-camera ADAS, surround-view |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does FAKRA stand for?
A: FAKRA stands for Fachkreis Automobil, a German automotive standards committee. The connector standard (DIN 72594-1, USCAR-17/18) defines a color-coded, mechanically keyed 50 Ω coaxial connector system for in-vehicle RF applications.
Q: What is the pinout of a FAKRA connector?
A: FAKRA is a coaxial connector with two contacts: center pin (RF signal, 50 Ω) and outer shell (ground/shield). Both are terminated via crimp. There is no multi-pin layout — it carries one RF signal channel per connector.
Q: What is the difference between FAKRA plug and jack?
A: A FAKRA plug (male) has a protruding center pin. A FAKRA jack (female/receptacle) has a socket for the center pin. In cable assemblies, either or both ends can be plug or jack, depending on the mating interface at each end.
Q: Can FAKRA carry power?
A: FAKRA is designed for RF signals. Phantom power (DC over coax) is possible at low currents for active antennas, but FAKRA is not rated for power distribution. Use a separate power connector for significant current.
Q: What cable types work with FAKRA connectors?
A: 50 Ω coaxial cable — RG174 (flexible), RG316 (high-temp), Dacar 302 (automotive-grade, low-loss). The choice depends on frequency, temperature zone, and installation environment. Always use FAKRA-specific crimp dies.
Need a Custom FAKRA Cable Assembly?
Send us the FAKRA code, connector gender (plug/jack), direction (straight/right-angle), cable type, length, and application. We can support straight, right-angle, waterproof, and panel-mount options.
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