Abstract: A self-switching interposer (10) for connecting a mating connector, such as a connector on the end of a cable, to a connector interface, such as a multi-pin connection socket on an electronic computer, includes a housing (12,16), first and second (24) sets of terminals supported in the housing, and a printed circuit board (30) for electrically connecting the first and second sets of terminals. The interposer further includes a switching system (42) for electrically connecting at least a group of the connected terminals to an electronic network (52) when the housing is not mated to a mating connector. The switching system includes a mechanical actuator (60) for disconnecting the group of connected terminals from the electronic network when the housing is mated to a mating connector. As a result, the interposer (10) will connect the connector interface to the network (52) except when the interposer is mated with a mating connector.

Abstract: An anti-electrostatic discharge electrical connector assembly (10) includes a housing (12, 18), a plurality of terminals (14, 20) supported in the housing, and a grounding system (36) for electrically connecting at least a group of the terminals to ground when the connector (10) is not fully mated to a mating connector. In the preferred embodiment, the grounding system (36) includes a printed circuit board (26) that is in contact with the terminals (20) and has a grounding area thereon, a conductive grounding bar (48) that is biased into contact with the grounding area (38), and a camming system (54, 60) for moving the grounding bar away from the grounding area when the connector assembly is substantially fully mated with a mating connector or interface. When the assembly (10) is connected to a mating connector or interface, ally electrostatic discharges will be passed to ground through the terminals, the grounding area and the ground bar.