ESD protected electrical connector

摘要

An electrical connector (10) having an array of contacts (14) in housing (12), and including a conductive member (50) affixed to the housing to be nonengagingly adjacent the contacts and define spark gaps (80) therebetween such as at protrusions (58) along body section (52) of the conductive member (50). Board-mounting sections (56) extend from the conductive member and be received into mounting holes (36) of a circuit element (30) to establish a chassis ground connection, thereby establishing a continuing ESD arrangement for protection of circuits and components of an electronic apparatus when connected to another apparatus at an input/output port, and even when unmated.