ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH SHUNT FOR HOT MATING AND UNMATING

摘要

A connector assembly (2) includes and arc prevention shunt (20) in one of two mating electrical connectors (10, 30). The shunt (20) engages a terminal (34) when the connectors (10) and (20) are in a partially mated configuration. If the terminal (34) is hot, current will pass from the shunt (20) to a relay coil (62) to close contacts (64) in a Form C relay (60). When the normally open switch contacts (64) are closed a bypass circuit (52) disconnects the terminals (14, 34) in the connectors (10, 30) so arcing will not occur when the connectors (10, 30) are mated or unmated under load. When the connectors (10, 30) are in the fully mated or fully unmated, the shunt (20) is electrically isolated from the terminals (14, 34).