Furutech Fi-E30 NCF (R)
Furutech FI-E30 NCF (R) Schuko Socket
Replacing a power outlet with an audio-grade model is not as immediately noticeable as changing an amplifier or speakers. Yet it is the first point of contact between the mains supply and the entire system. Furutech applies its connector-making expertise here: pure copper, rhodium plating, cryogenic treatment and a damping compound housed within the socket body. Here is what the FI-E30 NCF (R) brings to this often overlooked link.
Rhodium-plated pure copper
Power outlets usually use brass or phosphor bronze for their contacts, alloys that are easy to machine and sufficiently elastic to grip the pins of a plug. Furutech takes the opposite approach with pure α (Alpha) copper, which is more conductive but also softer. Rhodium plating compensates for this softness where it matters: the contact surface becomes hard, resistant to wear from repeated connections and to corrosion. Rhodium conducts slightly less well than gold by volume, but the layer is thin and durable, which explains this choice over the gold-plated FI-E30 (G) version from the same family.
Before plating, the metal parts undergo Furutech’s in-house Alpha treatment: a cryogenic cycle at very low temperature followed by ring demagnetization, intended to stabilize the metal structure and reduce contact noise.
NCF housed in the insulation
The socket body is made of glass-fiber-reinforced nylon, a rigid, non-conductive base commonly used for this type of component. The difference lies in the NCF (Nano Crystal² Formula) incorporated into this material: a compound made of nanocrystalline material, piezoelectric ceramic particles and carbon powder. Its role is primarily mechanical, absorbing vibrations and micro-resonances that travel through the housing when current flows. The conductive carbon powder also helps dissipate static charges that build up on plastics. This is what sets this version apart from FI-E30 models with a standard nylon/glass-fiber body.
A square housing to wire
Measuring 50.6 mm on each side and 36 mm high, the socket adopts a compact square format. The screw terminals accept conductors up to 2.5 mm² (12 AWG), matching a domestic 16 A line, and KEMA-KEUR certification confirms its compliance for mains installation.
However, this 50 mm square does not always fit into a standard French flush-mounting box: depending on the enclosure, slight adjustment may be necessary before fitting it flush with the wall. The socket is sold on its own, without a faceplate or cover, which must be provided separately. And because this involves work on the electrical system, connection should be carried out by an electrician; a dedicated line from the electrical panel gets the best from a component of this level.
On the wall or in a mains distribution block
There are two possible uses. On the wall, the socket replaces the one supplying the hi-fi or home cinema system, preferably on a dedicated line. In an enclosure, it can be integrated into a custom-built mains distribution block, where its compact format is useful. In both cases, pairing it with a Schuko plug from the same brand ensures a firm contact and consistent treatment throughout the connection.
Technical specifications
Electrical characteristics
- Type: bipolar + ground
- Rated current: 16 A
- Rated voltage: 250 V AC
Design and materials
- Main conductors: pure α (Alpha) copper, rhodium-plated
- Insulation materials: nylon / fiberglass incorporating an anti-resonance damping material, “NCF”
- Nanometer-sized crystalline particles
- Piezoelectric ceramic particles
- Carbon powder
Nano Crystal² Formula Technology
- Exclusive Furutech formula combining nano-crystalline material, ceramic, and carbon powder
- Crystalline material with two “active” properties
- Generation of negative ions that eliminate static electricity
- Conversion of thermal energy into far-infrared radiation
- Combination with nanometer-sized ceramic particles and carbon powder for an additional damping “piezoelectric effect”
- Ultimate electrical and mechanical damping material, exclusive to Furutech products
Dimensions
- Length: 50.6 mm
- Width: 50.6 mm
- Height: 36.0 mm
Frequently Asked Questions
Rhodium or gold: which version should you choose?
Rhodium offers a harder contact surface that is more resistant to repeated connections. Gold, offered on the FI-E30 (G), is slightly more conductive at the surface and has a softer feel. The choice is mainly a matter of consistency with the rest of your connectors: a system already fitted with rhodium plugs benefits from remaining uniform.
Can you install it yourself?
The connection is made to the mains supply, at household voltage. This work should be carried out by a qualified electrician, who will switch off the circuit at the electrical panel and check the grounding. A poorly tightened connection on 230 V poses a real risk of overheating.
Do I need to buy a plate separately?
Yes. The socket is sold individually, without a cover or finishing plate. Depending on the installation, wall-mounted or in an enclosure, you will choose the appropriate faceplate.
Does it accept French and Schuko plugs?
This is a Schuko (Type F) socket. It accepts Schuko plugs and the CEE 7/7 hybrid plugs commonly used in France, whose earth connection is made via the side clips of the socket. A strictly French plug with a central earth pin does not have an earth contact point here, but most recent audio power cords use CEE 7/7 or Schuko plugs.
What cable cross-section fits in the terminal blocks?
Up to 2.5 mm² (12 AWG), which covers a standard 16 A line. For larger cross-sections, look at the brand’s models with wider terminal blocks.
How does it differ from the FP-SWS and FT-SWS wall outlets?
The latter are full-frame wall outlets, with a reinforcement plate and terminal blocks accepting larger wire cross-sections. The FI-E30 is a more compact receptacle, to be wired in a box or enclosure, limited to 2.5 mm². The choice depends on the line cable and the installation support.
What is NCF material actually used for?
It is a damping compound integrated into the plug body. It absorbs vibrations and resonances passing through the housing and helps dissipate static charges thanks to its carbon content. On a mains plug, this treatment is intended to improve the mechanical stability of the contact rather than the signal itself.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
