GB2436897A

GB2436897A - Stepped electrical connector

Info

Publication number: GB2436897A
Application number: GB0606674A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Ian Briggs
Original assignee: Brand Rex Ltd
Current assignee: Leviton Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-03
Filing date: 2006-04-03
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Also published as: WO2007113578A1; GB2437157B; GB0706506D0; GB2437157A; GB0606674D0

Abstract

An electrical connector 500 having a longitudinal axis 7P and an array of electrical contacts 574, 575, the array comprising at least two pairs of contacts arranged so that at least one of the contacts is on a different plane 512 to another pair of the contacts. The planes 512 are parallel to each other and the longitudinal axis. Preferably the connection is made by moving the connector along the longitudinal axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or in both directions simultaneously. The contacts are preferably on a series of steps in a generally triangular shape. A clip 525 may hold the connector together when the connection is made.

Description

2436897

- 1 -

Improvements in and relating to electrical connectors

The present invention relates to electrical connectors for making a disconnectable connection.

5

It is known to provide disconnectable electrical connections by means of plugs and sockets. Where connections for electrical power are concerned, it is important that a first part that is connected to an electrical power supply is arranged so that a user may not make accidental contact with live parts, and such a part is normally called a 10 socket. A second part that is connected to an electrical load that it is desired to power is provided with plug contacts that are arranged to make electrical connection with corresponding socket contacts. Frequently plug contacts are arranged as male plug pins, and socket contacts are arranged as female receptacles. It is frequently important that plugs and sockets are polarised so that it is only possible to make 15 electrical connections between predetermined plug contacts and socket contacts. For low voltage electrical signals, it is also frequently important that the plugs and sockets are polarised, but where the voltage of the electrical signals is low, then it is not necessary to provide protection against accidental contact with live parts. Hence, a lead for inter-connecting a electrical devices may be provided with a plug at each 20 end, each of the electrical devices having an identical socket arranged to receive the plug. Examples of such plug and socket system are the RJ11 and the RJ45 systems.

A disadvantage of known electrical connections for low voltage electrical signals,

such as the RJ11 and the RJ45 systems, is that where it is necessary to provide an 25 intermediate connection between two devices, it is necessary to provide a socket to receive the lead plug. Such sockets may be mounted in a wall plate or in a patch panel or at the end of an extension lead. Sockets are undesirable, since it is difficult to match the impedance of the plugs, and hence signal propagation may be adversely affected and noise created by reflected signals. Sockets such as RJ45 are 30 also undesirable since it is difficult to maintain the separation of the individual plug pin contacts and of the socket contacts to avoid crosstalk between adjacent pairs of contacts. Such crosstalk requires elaborate measures to provide a cancelling signal. Such elaborate measures frequently are only effective over a small frequency range, and hence a socket arranged to operate at a particular frequency may be 35 unsatisfactory at a different frequency.

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According to the present invention, there is provided an electrical connector for making a disconnectable connection, the connector having a longitudinal axis, the connector further having an array of electrical contacts, the array comprising at least two pairs of contacts arranged so that at least one pair of contacts is in a different 5 plane to another pair of contacts, the planes being parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis.

A benefit of the electrical connector having an array of contacts arranged so that at least one pair of contacts is in a different plane to another pair of contacts is that the contacts may be spaced apart from each other, reducing a risk of crosstalk between 10 pairs of contacts.

Preferably the pairs of terminals are arranged so that one terminal is on each side of the longitudinal axis.

A benefit of the terminals being arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis is that 15 when the twisted pair is untwisted, each wire may be easily laced ready for termination with a punch down tool.

Preferably the connection is made between two of the said connectors.

A benefit of the connection being made between two of the said connectors is that an 20 installer only has to carry one connector. A further benefit is that manufacturing costs are also minimised.

Preferably the contacts protrude a mating surface of the connector.

A benefit of the contacts protruding the mating surface is that they are easy to clean, 25 unlike a female receptacle which requires a shutter to exclude foreign matter when a plug is absent.

Preferably the connection is made by moving the connector along the longitudinal axis.

30 A benefit of making the connection by moving along a longitudinal axis, is that there is a wiping action as the contacts make, and hence good electrical connection is assured.

Preferably the connection is made by moving the connector perpendicular to the 35 longitudinal axis.

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A benefit of the connection being made by moving the connector perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, is that an axial strain on the cable is unlikely to disengage the connection.

5 Preferably the connection is made by moving the connector along and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

A benefit of moving in both longitudinal and perpendicular axes is that good electrical connection may be obtained by having a wiping action as the contacts make, and the connection is not prone to accidental disconnection by pulling on the cable.

10

Preferably the contacts are spaced in a rectilinear array.

A benefit of an array of contacts is that it is easier to lace a regular array.

• • • •

Preferably the contacts are symmetrically arranged about a longitudinal axis. 15 A benefit of symmetry is that two identical connectors will connect together.

; .**. Preferably shielding is provided around the connector and extending between the connectors when connected.

• • •

A benefit of shielding is that electrical interference between pairs of conductors is

. .. 20 reduced. Hence for network cables, crosstalk may be minimised. A further benefit is • • •

* that by shielding around the connector a risk of inducing "alien crosstalk" between

\'\l adjacent cables is reduced.

In an alternative embodiment the connector is provided with a shield that is formed by 25 plating the surface of the connector.

A benefit of having shielding formed on the surface of the connector is that the shielding is applied during manufacture, and hence the effect is more predictable, and the connector is easier to use.

30 In a further alternative embodiment, the connector is provided with a shield that is a rectangular tubular shape surrounding the connected connectors.

A benefit of a tubular shield is that it is easy to make, and simple to slip over the mated connector. A further benefit is that it provides additional protection against unintentional disconnection of a connected connector.

- 4 -

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical connector having a cable grip at a cable entry, the cable grip comprising two similar parts arranged to hinge towards the cable so as to trap the cable between the parts.

A benefit of a cable grip trapping the cable is that the grip can be easily manufactured 5 and used.

Preferably the cable grip is arranged to latch in a gripping position.

A benefit of the cable grip latching in a gripping position is that the grip will securely retain the cable.

10

Preferably the cable grip is arranged to make electrical contact with a conductive shielding layer of the cable.

A benefit of the cable grip making electrical contact is that shielding integrity may be maintained at or adjacent an end of the cable.

15

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connector for making a disconnectable connection with another like connector, the connectors abutting each other at a mating surface when connected, the connector having an array of electrical contacts for making the connection, 20 wherein the contacts protrude a mating surface.

A benefit of the contacts protruding the mating surface is that they are easy to clean, unlike a female receptacle which requires a shutter to exclude foreign matter when a plug is absent.

25 Preferably the contacts are arranged to resile when the connection is made.

A benefit of resilient contacts is that a more reliable connection is maintained.

Preferably at least a contact comprises an insulation displacement connector for connecting to a wire.

30

In an alternative embodiment, preferably at least a contact comprises a screw terminal for connecting to a wire.

- 5 -

In an embodiment of the invention, a preferred connector has a stepped hermaphroditic mating profile. ■

A benefit of the steps is to give vertical and horizontal spacing to reduce crosstalk.-

5 Preferably shielding is provided on the surface of the steps.

A benefit of shielding is that this can be designed so that when one side of the connector is inverted on the other, gaps in the shielding are filled. In a preferred embodiment the contacts protrude from the shielding to contact their counterparts on the opposite side but are fully enclosed when the two halves of the connector are 10 mated. •

Preferably the foil pairs are taken fully into the contact face of the connector.

A benefit of this is that there is then no need to have a separate shielding shell around the rear of the connector.

• •

• • 1 S

• • ••

Preferably shielding pieces are installed vertically within the volume of the block.

„ .. A benefit of this is that shielding is not just on the surfaces of the connector, but effective internally between pairs of wires.

* J4 Preferably the shielding is provided with tags to grip the cable braid. •

. .. 20 Preferably the connector is provided with identical pins, IDC's, shielding and blocks

• • • * symmetrically on each of two sides.

• • •

• • • A benefit is that this makes it easier to electrically balance the connector. ■

Preferably the connector is arranged with angled insulation displacement connectors.

25 A benefit of this is easier lacing and a reduction of crosstalk. A further benefit is that when one connector side is overlaid on a second connector side the IDC channels do not allow a straight path for interference from one IDC to a step below on the second connector side.-

30 Preferably the connector is male so the contact pins are always accessible even when the shielding is in place.

A benefit of this is there is no need for a shutter to prevent dirt ingress.

- 6 -

Preferably a connection is made with two identical electrical connectors.

A benefit of this is both have the same electrical characteristics so it is easier to electrically balance the pair.

5 Preferably the steps are provided in the shielding between adjacent contacts and adjacent insulation displacement connectors.

A benefit of this is there is good electrical continuity through the shielding because there are multiple faces in abutment.

10 Preferably all the insulation displacement connectors can be punched down in the same plane. More preferably the insulation displacement connectors are angled to assist in the lacing of the wires and help to minimize crosstalk between the two sides of the connector and within the same side of the connector.

A benefit of this is that when one connector side is overlaid on a second connector 15 side the insulation displacement connector channels do not allow a straight path for interference from one insulation displacement connector to one on a step below on the second connector side.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the electrical connector shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is plan view of a flat shield for the electrical connector shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front view of a insulation displacement terminal for the electrical connector shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4A is a perspective view of the insulation displacement terminal shown in Figure 4;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention similar to the first embodiment, showing the fitting of a shield to a connector, with a twisted pair cable omitted from the view;

Figure 5A is a perspective view of the shield and connector shown in Figure 5;

Figure 5B is a perspective view of the shield and connector shown in Figure 5 fitted to a twisted pair cable;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the method of closing the shield around the connector;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of two connectors of the second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of two connectors of a third embodiment of the invention, the third embodiment being similar to the first embodiment;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a connector according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

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From Figure 1, a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electrical connector 1 according to the invention is shown. The electrical connector 1 has an insulating body 100 which is provided with a plurality of contacts 10 to 17 each having a contact face 110 to 117 respectively, the male contact faces are each arranged to protrude a 5 mating surface 2. The mating surface 2 is arranged as discrete steps 3 to 6, each step 3, 4, 5 and 6 comprising a contact plateau 303, 304, 305 and 306 respectively, the adjacent contact plateaus being separated by a riser 313, 314 and 315. The steps each form a separate plane having contacts protruding. At each end of the mating surface, the riser forms an internal end face 312 and an external end face 10 316. The contacts 10 to 17 are each provided with a insulation displacement terminations 120 to 127 respectively for making an electrical connection to an insulated wire, such as one wire from a pair of a shielded four twisted pair cable 30. The cable 30 has a braided shield 31 surrounding foil wrapped twisted pairs 32, 33, 34, and 35. The insulation displacement terminations each comprise a wire receiving 15 channel with an insulation displacement terminal and a punch down wire crop surface 129 (only one labelled in Figure 1). The wire receiving channels are at an angle to a central channel 128 for receiving a number of twisted pair wires 32, 33, 34, and 35 which enter the connector through a cable hole 130 in the end face 312. The electrical connector 1 further comprises a pair of retention slots 21 and 22, and a pair 20 of protruding retention angles 23 and 24. At an end of the electrical connector is a resilient latch 25, which protrudes face 312. The resilient latch having a ramp portion 26 and a latching face 27. Face 312 of the connector has a latching aperture passing through, and on an external cable end face 318 is a latch abutting face 28. The connector 1 also has two substantially parallel longitudinal side walls 320 and 321, at 25 the cable end of which are two vertical grooves 132 and 133 respectively formed between the side walls 320 and 321 and side supports 134 and 135 respectively. At each riser 313, 314 and 315 is provided a groove 138,139 and 138', 139' and 138" and 139" respectively, the groove for receiving shielding to provide additional shielding when required between adjacent pairs of contacts. On each riser, is 30 provided a protrusion 137, 136 and 137', 136' and 137", 136", the protrusions arranged to co-operate with hole in shielding to assist in the retention of the shielding.

Each side wall 320 and 321 has a lower edge 322 and 323 respectively, and the front end face 312 has a lower edge 324 and rear external cable end face 318 has a lower 35 edge 325. Lower edges 322, 323, 324, 325 define the edges of base 326. Base 326 is parallel to a direction 1X. Direction 1X is substantially co-axial with a direction of entry of a cable to the plug. Direction 1X is a longitudinal axis of the connector 1.

Each of the discrete steps 3, 4, 5 and 6 is at a different height 1M, 1L, 1K and 1J 40 respectively from the base.

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• •

• • • • • • • • • « • • « • • •

• • •

t • • • ••

From Figure 2 a rear perspective view of the electrical connector 1 shown in Figure 1 can be seen to have clips 146, 147 and 148 for retaining a boot on the connector. The cable hole 130 can be seen to be a large elongated hole, with the narrow dimension being preferably approximately equal to, or slightly less than that of the 5 cable the connector is intended for use with. The cable hole provides an easy unrestricted access to the central channel 128 for easy feeding of the preferred shielded twisted pairs into the connector. The connector also has two clip features 151 and 152 for engaging with slots in a shield 200 shown in Figure 3, which is a plan view of the shield in a flat, unfolded state. Clip features 151 and 152 have abutting 10 faces 153 and 154 which are spaced away from rear face 318 sufficiently to allow for a braided shielding of a cable to be trapped between the shield 200 and the cable end face 318 when the shield 200 is clipped under the clip feature abutting faces 153 and 154.

15 Shield 200 has a central mating surface 202 which has apertures 210 to 217 for the contacts 10 to 17 respectively to protrude the mating surface so that electrical contact may be made between two plugs when inter-fitted as described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Apertures 221, 222 and 223, 224 are also for the retention slots and retention angles respectively. An aperture 225 is provided to allow the resilient latch 20 to protrude a front face of the shield. An aperture 229 is provided to allow a latch of another plug to engage latching aperture 29. The central plateau areas 203, 204, 205 and 206 are provided with indented fold lines 283 and 284 along either side to permit the side portions 252 to 256 and 242 to 246 to be folded down to cover the sides. Riser portions 232, 233, 234, 235 permit the mating surface to be folded to 25 provide the steps to conform closely with the connector 1, when the side portions will closely abut each other, and dovetails 280 (only one labelled for clarity) engages with mating feature 281. Likewise, base portions 262, 262' to 266, 266' fold to engage each other forming an enclosure that will fit snugly to the connector. To obtain optimum shielding benefit from the shield 200, it is provided with tags 271 and 272 30 which are arranged to be inserted through slots 132 and 134 and then folded along fold lines 286 and 287 so that holes 273 and 274 may engage and latch under clips 152 and 151 respectively. Hence braiding contacts 275 and 276 will be forced into the cable braiding making a good electrical contact to provide effective shielding of the connector, enhancing connector performance at high frequencies.

35

Figure 4 and 4A are views of a contact terminal 350 for the electrical connector shown in Figure 1. Terminal 350 has an insulation displacement terminal 351 comprising insulation piercing blades 352 and 353, with a retention stem 354 to retain the terminal securely to the connector body 100. The contact terminal 350 also has a 40 contact face 360 corresponding to contact faces 110 to 117 visible in Figure 1, which

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is connected by a resilient portion 362 to the blade 353. To ensure the position of the contact face 360 is accurately controlled during connection and disconnection of the connector 1, the terminal is also provided with angled support 364 which is arranged to locate in a suitable groove in the connector body 100.

5

Figure 5, 5A and 5B are views of a second embodiment 500 of the invention similar to the first embodiment, showing the fitting of a shield 502 to a connector 501, with a twisted pair cable 503 omitted from the view in Figs 5 and 5A. The second embodiment differs from the first in small details, such as the latch arrangement 525, 10 and the cable entry hole which is provided with separators 531, 532 and 533 to further separate twisted pair wires. The separators continue along the central channel, terminating alongside the respective terminations (corresponding to 120 to 127). Cable retaining tags 571 and 572 can be seen both unfolded, and in a folded state, where they are engaged with clips 551 and 552 clamping against the braiding 15 504 of the shielded cable, securely retaining the cable 503 to the connector.

• j • Figure 6 is a perspective view of connector 500 showing that the shield 503 may be easily closed around the connector body by holding the connector in the hand, and ; ,•*. applying pressure in the direction of arrow 6F on the tag 605 by a thumb. To ensure

. 20 the hole 606 in the tag is securely engaged with the clip 607 on the connector body it * • * • • is preferable to check the security by applying additional force at this point with a screwdriver before affixing a boot to the connector covering the tags.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of two connectors 500 and 500' of the second 25 embodiment of the invention. In use an electrical connection is made between two identical electrical connectors 500 and 500'. Connectors 500 and 500' are identical or closely similar to that shown and described with reference to Figure 5. Each connector is connected to one or more wires of a twisted pair cable 503 and 503' respectively as required as shown in Figure 7. Each electrical connector may be 30 provided with a boot 560 and 560' which is arranged to clip onto the connector body at 561 and 562 to support the respective cable to prevent flexing too close to the plug, and to provide additional strain relief to the cable. To make a disconnectable connection between the wires the two electrical connectors are brought together so that the mating surfaces 512 and 512' will abut, and in a sliding motion in the direction 35 of arrows 7P and 7Q the protruding retention angles 523 and 524 of one plug are engaged with the corresponding pair of retention slots 521 and 522 of the other plug. As the two plugs are slidably moved together the ramp portion 526 of each resilient latch 525 of each plug engages a corresponding ramp 529 on the other plug resiliently deflecting the latch so that when the end faces 516 abut the corresponding

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end faces 515' of the other plug, each latching face 527 latches with abutting face 528 of the other connector.

It is important to note that if it is desired to maintain the correct polarity of the 5 connections through the connector, it is necessary to interchange the wires in a pair of terminals, for example terminal 574 will connect to terminal 576 and 573 will connect to 575.

• •

• • • • • •

• • • > • • • • •

Figure 8 is a perspective view of two connectors 801 and 802 of a third embodiment 10 that is similar to the first and second embodiments, differing only in the arrangement of the boot. Figure 8 shows that the shield closely abuts along the mating surface joint line 805 when the two plugs are connected.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a connector 700 according to a fourth embodiment 15 of the invention where the mating surface is a continuous surface 705 rather than the stepped surfaces of the other embodiments. Contacts 710 to 717 protrude the mating surface in a similar manner to that described with reference to the other embodiments. A shield 720 may be provided, and as with the other embodiments provides a hole through which the contacts may protrude without touching the shield.

20

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a connector 900 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, similar to the other embodiments described herein, except that the engagement of two plugs is in a perpendicular direction of arrow 9A. Hence the slots and engaging angles of the first embodiment are replaced with locating pegs 902, 25 903 and locating sockets 904 and 905. Vertical clips 910 and 911 are provided to maintain engagement of two plugs when fitted together.

To connect a shielded twisted pair cable to a connector according to the invention, 30 such as connector 1 shown in Figure 1, a boot (such as boot 560) would first be placed on a cut end of a cable (503). An outer sheath of the cable would be cut back and removed for a length slightly greater than a length of the connector. The braided shielding is then rolled up near the end of the cable, leaving the four pairs of wires still wrapped in their foil shield.

35 The pairs are then stacked on top of each other and fed into the hole 130 in the rear of the connector body 100.

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The foil is removed from the top pair of wires and they are un-twisted sufficiently to lace into the terminations, where they are punched down using a standard tool to keep the cable in the plug.

Going down the plug, the rest of the pairs of wires are similarly terminated.

5 When using the punch down tool, the terminals are positioned such that the wires are cut off back from the front of the step, so that the wire is clear of the shielding, ensuring that there is no possibility of shorting the wire.

The formed up box shape of shielding is then slid onto the plug, with the tags being fed through the slots 132, 133 at the rear of the connector body 100.

10 The tags are then folded over onto the braid firmly retaining the cable to the connector.

The engagement of the tags with the clips is verified with a screwdriver or similar tool, and then the boot is slid over the end of the wire and clipped onto the connector body to complete the connection of the connector to a cable.

15

The preferred embodiment is an electrical connector formed from an insulating block, with a self-interlocking profile consisting of at least two steps. On the face of each step is at least one electrical contact. The preferred embodiment has two contacts on 20 each step. Each pair of contacts is symmetrical with the centre line. When the steps mate with their identical counterpart, electrical continuity between the said contacts is achieved. The stepped system increases the distance between adjacent IDC's and contacts, reducing crosstalk. When the two sides of the connector are mated, the contacts and IDC's are not open to air further reducing possible crosstalk; i.e. there is 25 another barrier-surface between the critical areas.

The stepped system allows the IDC's to be spaced apart horizontally and vertically yet still punched-down with a punch-down tool held substantially in the same vertical plane. The steps allow the pairs / foils to terminate within the contact face, each pair positioned on a unique horizontal plane. This minimizes the occurrence of crosstalk 30 between the pairs. The foil on each pair can be maintained until it passes beyond the termination position of the previous pair. The steps also allow unrelated contacts to be positioned on a similar vertical plane without physically coinciding with each other during connection when using a sliding horizontal motion.

It is preferred that the two sides of the connector slide together lengthways and 35 horizontally. It is further preferred that the two sides are located by at least one rail and slot. It is also preferred that at least one sledge on the connector side interacts with a slot on the other side.

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It is particularly preferred that the stepped area of the connector has at least one area of shielding to enhance the reduction of crosstalk by screening critical parts of the connector from one another. It is most preferred that this shielding abuts with the shielding on the counterpart to achieve electrical continuity between the shielding on 5 the two sides of the connector.

It is especially preferred that the shielding slides on after termination, covering both the IDC's and the conductors leading from the IDC's to the contacts. It is particularly preferred that the shielding has a profile matching that of the steps of the connector. In this embodiment the shielding will have multiple faces. These will give good 10 electrical continuity when the faces are in contact with one another across the two sides of the connector. The different steps within the profile of the shielding also establish multiple 'ground planes' within the vicinity of the connector. When the connector pair is mated the shielding between the mating faces is of double thickness, increasing the shielding effect. The shielding also forms a hard resistant 15 protective surface for connection.

A further enhancement uses plates positioned substantially vertically with respect to the IDC channels within the volume of the block to shield the bottom of an IDC from the adjacent pin /IDC on the same side of the connector.

It is most preferred that the shielding has lugs that locate through the block and tags 20 that can be folded back to impinge on the cable- braid to achieve electrical continuity between the cable screen / braid and the connector shielding. The tags help to achieve 360 degree shielding. They also assist in clamping the cable.

It is further preferred that the block has angled IDC's to assist in lacing the wires and to reduce the overall length of the connector. The angled paths also reduce crosstalk 25 because they prevent an open pathway between one set of IDC's /contacts and that of a different wire-pair both on the same side of the connector and between those on one side and the other.

The shielding is preferably tin plated brass, although other electrically conductive 30 materials would be acceptable.

The different levels of shielding of a stepped shielding, helps dissipate internal signal reflections within the body of a connector.

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Claims

1. An electrical connector for making a disconnectable connection, the connector having a longitudinal axis, the connector further having an array of electrical contacts, the array comprising at least two pairs of contacts arranged so that at least one pair of the contacts is in a different plane to another pair of the contacts, the planes being parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis.

2. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pairs of terminals are arranged so that one terminal is on each side of the longitudinal axis.

3. An electrical connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the connection is made between two of the said connectors.

4. An electrical connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims when dependent on 3, wherein the connection is made by moving the connector along the longitudinal axis.

5 An electrical connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims when dependent on 3, wherein the connection is made by moving the connector perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

6 An electrical connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims when dependent on 3, wherein the connection is made by moving the connector along and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

7. An electrical connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the contacts are spaced in a rectilinear array.

8. An electrical connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein shielding is provided around the connector and extending between the connectors when connected.

9. An electrical connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein each of the contacts is male.

10. An electrical connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the or a shielding is arranged to grip the cable.

11. An electrical connector, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.