Abstract: An electrical connector apparatus having a plug and a receptacle is disclosed. The body of each of the plug and receptacle are chiefly made of an low conductivity material, such as composite. Despite the low conductive characteristics of the connector material, the apparatus is provided with capability for safely handling short duration relatively high current electrical surges such as those produced by lightning strikes and EMP. This capability is provided by elongated conductive elements associated respectively with each of the plug and receptacle. The elements each define a respective contact region, which regions mate when the plug is inserted in the receptacle in a predetermined alignment. The opposite ends of the conductive elements are coupled to the outer conductive jackets of adjacent sections of jacketed cable to which each of the plug and receptacle are electrically coupled.