Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe comprising an ultrasound transducer array. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a processor circuit configured for communication with the ultrasound probe via a first conductive pathway and a second conductive pathway. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a first connector and a second connector configured to be selectively engaged to establish the communication between the ultrasound probe and the processor circuit. The processor circuit is configured to detect an electrical conductance along the first conductive pathway. The processor circuit is further configured to transmit data to the ultrasound probe via the second conductive pathway only after detecting the electrical conductance along the first conductive pathway.