Abstract: A header connector includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis between mating and mounting ends. The housing has contact channels open between the mating and mounting ends, and the housing has air pockets provided between selected ones of the contact channels to control an impedance of socket contacts received in the contact channels. Socket contacts are loaded into the contact channels, with each socket contact including a contact body extending along a longitudinal axis between mating and mounting ends. The contact body has a box-shaped socket at the mating end that defines a reception area configured to receive a mating contact. The box-shaped socket is configured to engage four different sides of the mating contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a plug insert having a dielectric body and having a pair of contact channels. The contact channels have central axes that extend parallel to each other in a common direction. The contact channels are defined by respective channel walls and are separated by an inter-channel portion of the dielectric body. The channel walls have wall perimeters that extend around the corresponding central axes. The electrical connector also has a contact sub-assembly that includes mating contacts that are received in the contact channels and retention clips that are positioned within the contact channels between the mating contacts and the channel walls. Each of the retention clips has a concave body with an open side. The concave body extends partially about the wall perimeter with the open side positioned along a portion of the wall perimeter. The retention clips are oriented to face one another.