Abstract: An electrical connector system for providing low-loss, long-life electrical connection over many repeated coupling/uncoupling cycles. The connector utilizes ribbon contacts flexibly deformable in one axis to make electrical connection, substantially without sliding and compression friction during coupling and uncoupling. The connector comprises a receptacle and a plug, the plug housed within a shell. The plug is inserted almost fully into the receptacle before electrical or mechanical connection is made between corresponding contacts. A cam disposed in the shell flexes a contact mounting blade on the receptacle at the end of insertion, to bring the contact of the receptacle into electrical connection with the corresponding contact of the plug.