Abstract: An electrical connector termination system includes a connector component having a plurality of ribbon contact members mounted within individual cavities, each ribbon contact member including a terminal socket element disposed proximate its mounting cavity's outer end. A termination component is provided having at least one pin contact member. Each pin contact member includes a terminal portion electrically engaged to at least one electrical conductor, and an active pin portion adapted for electrically and mechanically terminating with the socket element of one ribbon contact member.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed having an insulation-opening contact member with at least one transversely displaceable sidewall that aligns itself parallel to both the opposing sidewall of the contact and the lateral surface of the mounting cavity of the connector. Insulation-opening protuberances extend inwardly from the displaceable sidewalls. The dielectric contact mount of the connector supports these protuberances and minimizes or prevents their lateral spreading during the connection operation.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided with a plurality of contacts, each of the contacts having an insulation-opening terminal element of sheet metal construction to electrically contact an insulated conductor. The contact is advantageously constructed for receiving an insulated stranded conductor, but is equally applicable for receiving an insulated solid conductor. Each contact includes an active portion, of either male or female configuration, a terminal element portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the active and terminal element portions. The terminal element portion preferably includes an elongate open channel of U-shaped cross-sectional configuration having side and bottom walls, the sidewalls including opposite portions dimpled in to provide inner detents forming, and separated by, a conductor-receiving notch for opening the insulation of the conductor and electrically engaging the underlying exposed conductor.

Abstract: A keyed high voltage connector of this invention is adapted to prevent connection to a standard connector having a standard shaped shell and which retains a standard contact mounting insert with a standard length contact supporting portion defined by end walls spaced a standard length by contact supporting walls. Typically, the standard connector may be of a low voltage type whereas the keyed connector carries high voltages which must not be directly connected or accidentally arced over to a seemingly mateable low voltage connector. Alternatively, the standard connector may carry a high voltage and the keyed connector a low voltage. The keyed connector of this invention uses the standard shaped shell and has a contact mounting insert with a contact supporting portion retained within the shell.

Abstract: A strain relief adapter for providing strain relief for insulated conductors which are electrically connected to respective insulation-piercing contact portions supported in respective spaced parallel channels on opposite sides of an electrical connector comprises a pair of one-piece molded structures each of which includes a plurality of pressure members spaced to be received in the respective channels to engage and press against the electrically connected portions of the conductors, conductor clamping means in the form of a comb-shaped edge having a plurality of constricted openings for receiving respective conductors, and a force diversion member extending parallel to, but directed away from, the pressure members and the comb-shaped conductor clamp, also in the form of a comb, to receive the conductors between the teeth thereof for preventing dislocation of the conductors from the insulation-piercing contact portions in response to the application of pulling forces on the conductors.

Abstract: An electrical connector having improved panel mounting means and an improved releasable contact construction. The improved panel mounting means typically comprises first and second pairs of resilient wings provided on opposite sides of the housing. Each pair of wings comprises a resilient stop wing and a deflectable snap-in wing projecting through an aperture provided in the stop wing. The stop wing provides bearing surfaces for resiliently bearing against the entry side of a panel and the snap-in wing has a locking lip with bearing surfaces for resiliently bearing against the opposite side of the panel after being passed through a panel opening by inward deflection of the snap-in wing.

Abstract: A hood assembly for an electrical connector includes a pair of complementary releasably engageable hollow housing shells. Each of the shells is a unitary molded one-piece structure which includes slots for receiving flanges of an electrical connector for mounting the connector in the hood assembly. Each of the shells also includes a longitudinally extending inwardly projecting rail or rib immediately adjacent the strain relief mechanism of the connector, or a strain relief adapter mounted on the connector, to press against the individual conductors and provide additional strain relief. The shells are provided with complementary recesses which are cooperable to form openings for passing bundles of conductors or individual conductors therethrough, the edges of the openings also functioning to clamp the conductors when the shells are connected together.

Abstract: A tool for controlled, uniform insertion of insulated conductors into insulation piercing contacts in an electrical connector unit includes a holding lug to engage the conductor and apply a holding pressure adjacent the free end of the conductor in one end of a terminal element channel of a contact member, an insertion blade for pressing the conductor into an insulation piercing notch of the terminal element, and an insertion guide to engage the conductor at a point immediately beyond the strain relief retainer of the connector unit and guide the conductor into the strain relief retainer. In one embodiment the tool is part of an adapter which becomes anchored to and remains as a part of the connector unit.