Abstract: A step connector assembly for establishing electrical connections between electrical components located at different levels, and a method for manufacturing the step connector assembly. The connector assembly is stepped such that the ends of the connector assembly are at different levels. The components of the assembly include a plurality of electrical connectors, and a plastic body that anchors the connectors and gives structure to the assembly. Each connector is formed with sequentially a base, a knee, and a footing. Due to a bend in the knees of the connectors, the footings are stepped to a different level than the bases of the connectors. The plastic body is formed with a shoulder. To join the connectors with the plastic body, a portion of the plastic body is formed around the base sections of the connectors. After the body is formed around the connectors, the connectors are pulled into the body until abutments on the connectors are embedded into the body, thereby anchoring the connectors into the body.

Abstract: A hand-held thermal wire stripper has two arms arranged in a pincer-like configuration, whereby the arms diverge at one end and converge at the other end. The divergent ends of the arms are exposed and a heatable blade is positioned on each divergent end such that the two blades oppose each other across a gap that receives a wire to be stripped. The convergent ends of the arms are housed in a casing that is gripped by the operator of the wire stripper. The casing is formed from an electrostatically dissipative material that conducts electrostatic charges to ground before such charges reach a level sufficient to shock the operator or damage sensitive electrical components coming into contact therewith.