Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having an opening for receiving a mating connector. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing and have contact portions exposed at the opening for engaging appropriate contacts of the mating connector. A shutter plate is mounted on the housing for movement from a protective position at the opening for covering and protecting the contact portions of the terminals, to a retracted position upon mating of the mating connector to allow the contact portions of the terminals to engage the contacts of the mating connector. At least one flexible locating spring is disposed between the shutter plate and the housing to allow the shutter plate to yield relative to the housing during movement between its positions and prevent binding of the shutter plate upon movement relative to the housing.