MT30-M Male 3-Pin Power Connector with Sheath - For Brushless Motors & ESCs

Specifications

• Connector Type: MT30 Male (MT30-M)

• Pin Count: 3 Pins (For 3-Phase AC/DC)

• Pin Diameter: 2.0mm

• Contact Material: Gold-Plated Brass

• Housing Material: High-Temperature Nylon

• Continuous Current Rating: 15A

• Peak/Burst Current Rating: 30A

• Contact Resistance: 0.1 mOhm

• Recommended Wire Gauge: 16AWG to 20AWG

• Dimensions (Assembled): ~19.00mm (L) x 10.25mm (W) x 9.78mm (H)

• Polarised Design: Yes (Asymmetric triangular shape)

Key Applications and Projects

• FPV Racing Drones: Providing a clean, low-resistance connection between 4-in-1 ESCs and individual brushless motors, replacing the messy standard of soldering three separate bullet connectors.

• Combat Robotics: Wiring high-current brushless weapon motors (like spinners or drums) in 1lb or 3lb combat robots where vibration resistance and compact wiring are critical for survival.

• RC Boat Upgrades: Upgrading cheap brushed RC boats to high-speed brushless systems, utilizing the MT30 to cleanly route the 3-phase power from the water-cooled ESC to the outrunner motor.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution) The Modular Quick-Swap Drone: Crashing is inevitable in FPV freestyle flying, and snapping a carbon fiber arm usually means a tedious 30 minutes of desoldering motor wires in the field. Evolve your build! By integrating MT30 connectors directly at the base of your drone's arms, you can create a "Quick-Swap" modular system. If a motor burns out or an arm snaps, simply unplug the MT30 connector, unbolt the arm, and plug in a fresh pre-assembled arm/motor combo. You can be back in the air in under 3 minutes without ever touching a soldering iron!

Package Includes:

• 1 x MT30-M Male 3-Pin Connector

• 1 x Snap-on Wire Protection Cover

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What is an MT30 connector used for? The MT30 is specifically designed for 3-phase wiring. It is almost exclusively used to connect brushless motors (which have 3 wires) to Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs).

2. What does the "M" in MT30-M stand for? The "M" stands for Male. It indicates that this housing contains the protruding metal pins.

3. Do I attach the male connector to the motor or the ESC? By universal RC convention, the Male connector (with the exposed pins) is soldered to the Motor wires, and the Female connector (with the recessed sockets) is soldered to the ESC. This prevents the live power from the ESC from shorting out against a metal frame when disconnected.

4. Can I use this to plug in my LiPo battery? While technically possible for extremely specialized 3-wire setups, it is highly discouraged. Standard LiPo batteries use 2 wires (Positive and Negative) and should be connected using XT30 or XT60 connectors.

5. How many amps can this connector handle safely? It is rated for 15A of continuous current draw, with the capability to safely handle transient bursts up to 30A.

6. Do I need heat shrink tubing with this connector? No! The MT30 includes a grey/yellow snap-on protective sheath that covers the solder joints, completely eliminating the need for heat shrink.

7. What wire gauge is recommended for the MT30? The rear solder cups are perfectly sized to accept 16AWG, 18AWG, or 20AWG silicone wire. Using wire thicker than 16AWG will make it difficult to snap the back cover into place.

8. What is the difference between an MT30 and an XT30? The XT30 is a 2-pin connector used for DC power (Batteries). The MT30 is a 3-pin connector used for 3-phase AC power (Brushless Motors).

9. What is the difference between an MT30 and an MR30? Both are 3-pin motor connectors. However, the MR30 has three pins arranged in a straight, flat line. The MT30 arranges the three pins in a compact triangle.

10. Is this connector waterproof? No, the MT30 is not IP-rated for underwater use. Water can seep into the housing and cause a short circuit.

11. How do I solder the wires to this connector? Pre-tin your wire ends and pre-tin the half-circle solder cups on the back of the connector. Before soldering, plug the male connector into a spare female connector; this acts as a heatsink and prevents the plastic housing from melting and shifting the pins while you apply heat.

12. Can I reuse the snap-on back cover if I unsolder the wires? Yes, the back cover utilizes plastic retaining clips. You can carefully pry it off using a small flathead screwdriver if you need to resolder a connection.

13. What material are the pins made of? The pins are machined from solid brass for excellent conductivity and are plated in gold to prevent oxidation and ensure low contact resistance over thousands of mating cycles.

14. Are the metal pins pre-installed in the housing? Yes, the three male pins are permanently molded into the high-temperature nylon housing from the factory.

15. Does the housing shape prevent plugging it in backward? Yes. The housing features an asymmetric, vaguely triangular shape. It is mechanically polarized and can only mate with the female connector in one specific orientation.

16. How do I reverse my motor direction if the plug only goes in one way? Because the plug is polarized, you cannot simply flip it upside down like individual bullet connectors. To reverse a brushless motor's direction, you must either unsolder and swap any two of the three wires on the connector, or reverse the motor direction digitally through your ESC software (like BLHeli).

17. What are the physical dimensions of the MT30-M? The connector body measures roughly 10.25mm wide, 9.78mm tall, and 19.00mm long.

18. Does it physically lock together with the female half? It does not have a mechanical latch, but it utilizes a tight friction-fit design. The 2mm bullet pins are slightly sprung, ensuring the connectors hold together securely during heavy vibration.

19. Will this plastic melt when I solder it? The housing is made from high-temperature nylon, which resists melting far better than cheap ABS plastic. However, holding a hot soldering iron to the pin for longer than 3-5 seconds can still soften the surrounding plastic.

20. Can I use this for a standard 2-wire brushed DC motor? You could technically solder your two wires to any two of the three pins and leave the third pin empty, but it is a waste of space. An XT30 connector is the proper choice for 2-wire brushed motors.