Electrical connector with terminal position assurance device that facilitates fully inserting a terminal

摘要

An electrical connector (10) includes a housing (20) having a forward mating end (22) and a rearward terminating end (24) and at least one terminal-receiving cavity (18) extending in a direction between the ends. A terminal (14) is insertable into the cavity (18) from the rearward terminating end (24) of the housing (20). A TPA device (12) is selectively engageable with the housing (20) in two positions, preloaded and fully loaded, at the terminating end (24) of the housing (20), with a terminal retention portion insertable into the cavity (18) in locking engagement with the terminal (14). Complementary interengaging abutments are provided between the terminal (14) and the TPA device (12) for moving the terminal (14) from at least one incomplete position of insertion to a fully inserted position in response to moving the TPA device (12) from the preloaded position to the fully loaded position thereof. The TPA device (12) is held on the housing (20) in either of the preloaded position or the fully loaded position thereof in such a manner as to allow the TPA device (12) to be readily removed from the housing (20) along with the terminals (14) therewith. <IMAGE>