Abstract: A wire retaining connector, connector system and method of connecting wires to connectors to reduce or eliminate unintentional wire disconnection from wire connectors, including disconnection of poke-in connectors. The connectors and connector systems include a connector body having at least one opening configured to receive a wire, the wire including a partially exposed conductor and insulation. The connector body further includes a wire retention member having at least one surface onto which a wire may be engaged. A cutting projection may also be provided on the wire connector to form a channel in the insulation during insertion of the wire into the connector. The wire retention member or the projection provides sufficient retention of the wire to resist disconnection of the wire from the connector body. A method for connecting wires to the connectors is also provided.

Abstract: A contact includes a conductive portion, a wire-receiving portion and a bundle of wound wires. The conductive portion has a compliant portion extending from a first end thereof. The compliant portion is configured to be positioned in an opening of a panel. The wire-receiving portion has a wire-receiving channel provided thereon. The bundle of wound wires is mounted in the wire-receiving channel and has a contact section which is configured to engage a mating connector.

Abstract: A contact for use with electrical conductors is provided. This contact includes a stationary engagement member; a flexible engagement member; and a biasing member (e.g., a spring) disposed between the stationary engagement member and the flexible engagement member. The action of the biasing member displaces the flexible engagement member from linear alignment with the stationary engagement member in the absence of compressive force on at least one of the engagement members. Compressive force applied to the stationary engagement member and/or the flexible engagement member brings these components into linear alignment with one another for creating a wire-receiving channel or “wire trap” that is activated upon removal of the compressive force.

Abstract: An electrical terminal (2) includes a body (4) having a locking member (6) and the locking member extends through an aperture (10) and backs up to the body. The locking member is configured to abut the housing, in one embodiment the locking member is disposed through the channel defined by the body while another embodiment a plurality of locking members are at least partially disposed within the channel. Preferably, the locking member is stamped out from the body. In a variation the body has a projection which can abut the housing to lock the body into the housing.

Abstract: A contact for use with electrical conductors is provided. This contact includes a stationary engagement member; a flexible engagement member; and a biasing member (e.g., a spring) disposed between the stationary engagement member and the flexible engagement member. The action of the biasing member displaces the flexible engagement member from linear alignment with the stationary engagement member in the absence of compressive force on at least one of the engagement members. Compressive force applied to the stationary engagement member and/or the flexible engagement member brings these components into linear alignment with one another for creating a wire-receiving channel or “wire trap” that is activated upon removal of the compressive force.

Abstract: A wire retaining connector, connector system and method of connecting wires to connectors to reduce or eliminate unintentional wire disconnection from wire connectors, including disconnection of poke-in connectors. The connectors and connector systems include a connector body having at least one opening configured to receive a wire, the wire including a partially exposed conductor and insulation. The connector body further includes a wire retention member having at least one surface onto which a wire may be engaged. The wire retention member provides sufficient retention of the wire to resist disconnection of the wire from the connector body. A method for connecting wires to the connectors is also provided.

Abstract: A wire retaining connector, connector system and method of connecting wires to connectors to reduce or eliminate unintentional wire disconnection from wire connectors, including disconnection of poke-in connectors. The connectors and connector systems include a connector body having at least one opening configured to receive a wire, the wire including a partially exposed conductor and insulation. The connector body further includes a wire retention member having at least one surface onto which a wire may be engaged. A cutting projection may also be provided on the wire connector to form a channel in the insulation during insertion of the wire into the connector. The wire retention member or the projection provides sufficient retention of the wire to resist disconnection of the wire from the connector body. A method for connecting wires to the connectors is also provided.

Abstract: An electrical terminal includes a body having a first end, a second end, and a channel having an axis. The channel extends at least through the first end toward the second end, the channel configured and disposed to receive an electrical conductor. A contact gripping element intermediate the first and second ends extends into the channel at an angle from the axis. The contact gripping element is associated with the body. The contact gripping element terminates at an end having a reduced thickness. The contact gripping element is configured to exert a contact gripping contact force on the electrical conductor.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a connector assembly for terminating a plurality of discrete wires and for selective electrical interconnection with a header assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a front housing defining at least one channel therein; a rear housing selectively operatively connectable to the front housing, the rear housing including at least one passage formed therein and in operative association with a respective channel of the front housing, each passage terminating a respective discrete wire; and at least one contact disposed at least partially within each channel of the front housing and each corresponding passage of the rear housing. Each contact is configured and adapted to define a poke-in connection.

Abstract: A wire retaining connector, connector system and method of connecting wires to connectors to reduce or eliminate unintentional wire disconnection from wire connectors, including disconnection of poke-in connectors. The connectors and connector systems include a connector body having at least one opening configured to receive a wire, the wire including a partially exposed conductor and insulation. The connector body further includes a wire retention member having at least one surface onto which a wire may be engaged. The surface of the wire retention member includes at least one slot or at least one channel. The wire retention member provides sufficient retention of the wire to resist disconnection of the wire from the connector body. A method for connecting wires to the connectors is also provided.

Abstract: A wire retaining connector, connector system and method of connecting wires to connectors to reduce or eliminate unintentional wire disconnection from wire connectors, including disconnection of poke-in connectors. The connectors and connector systems include a connector body having at least one opening configured to receive a wire, the wire including a partially exposed conductor and insulation. The connector body further includes a wire retention member having at least one surface onto which a wire may be engaged. The wire retention member provides sufficient retention of the wire to resist disconnection of the wire from the connector body. A method for connecting wires to the connectors is also provided.

Abstract: A low profile connector assembly comprises at least one contact having a surface mount portion and a wire engagement portion extending from the surface mount portion, and a housing insertable over the at least one contact and retained to the at least one contact. The housing encloses the wire engagement portion and has a wire receiving aperture therethrough. The wire receiving aperture provides access to the wire engagement portion when the housing is retained to the contact.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a connector assembly for terminating a plurality of discrete wires and for selective electrical interconnection with a header assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a front housing defining at least one channel therein; a rear housing operative connected to the front housing, the rear housing including at least one passage formed therein and in operative association with a respective channel of the front housing, each passage terminating a respective discrete wire; and at least one contact disposed at least partially within each channel of the front housing and each corresponding passage of the rear housing. The connector assembly further includes a visual coding system provided on a surface of at least one of the front housing and the rear housing. The visual coding system includes unique indicia for each passage of the rear housing.

Abstract: A hinged electrical connector is disclosed. The connector includes an arcuate lid portion and an arcuate connector housing portion hingedly attached to the lid portion. The lid portion includes a wire alignment structure to retain one or more wires in a compact fashion and the connector housing portion has at least one electrically conductive contact retained in it to engage the wires retained in the wire alignment structure. The lid and connector housing close to an operative position to form an electrical connector that can be passed through standard electrical panel knock-outs and which is also resistant to snagging.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to switches and assemblies configured and adapted to enable “hot plugging” of electrical components and/or elements. According to an embodiment, slide switch assembly includes a body portion configured and adapted to support a first and a second spaced apart contact pin therein; and a plunger slidably supported within the body portion. Each contact pin is electrically connectable to an electrical conduit. The plunger has a first position in electrical contact with one of the first and second contact pins, and a second position in electrical contact with both the first and second contact pins. In use, when the plunger is in the second condition electrical current is transmitted between the first and the second contact pins.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a nonconductive center housing and a plurality of substantially planar contacts situated within the housing. Each of the contacts includes an insulation displacement section, and at least one stuffer is slidably mounted to the housing and configured to engage a primary wire to more than one of the insulation displacement sections.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a first and a second electrical connector. Each electrical connector includes a housing having electrical contacts therein wherein each contact of the first electrical connector mates or connects with a corresponding contact of the second electrical connector. A keying arrangement has keying surfaces for inhibiting the mating except for mating a first electrical connector to a designated second electrical connector. Another keying arrangement is provided by two pairs of electrical contact housings fitted within interior cavities of the first and second electrical connectors. Each electrical contact housing includes a key sized to slip fit into an opposing opening of an electrical contact housing fitted within an interior cavity of either the first or second electrical connector. Each key is arranged so that the first and second electrical connector housings will mate only when the four keys are in mating alignment with their respective opening.

Abstract: A contact for a wire tap connector includes a substantially planar insulation displacement portion configured to receive a primary wire and electrically connect thereto, and a poke in wire section integrally formed with and attached to the planar insulation displacement portion. The poke in wire section is configured to accept a prepared connecting wire in one or more positions relative to the insulation displacement portion. When the contact is situated in a housing, a slidable stuffer may be provided to quickly and easily install the connector assembly to a primary run wire.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed having a first and a second electrical connector. Each electrical connector includes a housing having electrical contacts therein wherein each contact of the first electrical connector mates or connects with a corresponding contact of the second electrical connector. A keying arrangement is provided having keying walls for inhibiting the mating except for mating a first electrical connector to a designated second electrical connector. Another keying arrangement is provided by two pairs of electrical contact housings fitted within interior cavities of the first and second electrical connectors. Each electrical contact housing includes a key sized to slip fit into an opposing opening of an electrical contact housing fitted within an interior cavity of either the first or second electrical connector. Each key is arranged so that the first and second electrical connector housings will mate only when the four keys are in mating alignment with their respective opening.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly includes a housing having a base portion and partition walls extending from the base portion. The partition walls are spaced apart to define a cavity therebetween. The terminal block assembly further includes a terminal connector removably secured in the cavity between the partition walls. The terminal is configured to accept at least one of a bare wire and a contact attached to a wire. At least one of the partition walls includes a latch arm deflectable outward away from the cavity. The latch arm snappably retains the terminal connector within the cavity.