Insulation piercing connector assemblies with captive cable end caps

An electrical connector assembly for mechanically and electrically connecting first and second cables each including an elongate electrical conductor covered by an insulation layer, the electrical connector assembly comprising:

• an insulation piercing connector comprising:
• a pair of clamping jaws, at least one of the jaws comprising at least one electrically conductive piercing member, and a male connector member extending outwardly from one of the clamping jaws;
• and
• a clamping mechanism configured and operable to force the at least one piercing member through the insulation layers of the first and second cables and into electrical engagement with the conductors of the first and second cables to form an electrical connection between the first and second cables;
• an elastomeric seal inserted over a terminal end of the first cable;
• and
• a protective end cap configured to be secured to the male connector member, wherein the protective end cap comprises first and second portions pivotally connected by a hinge, wherein the first and second portions are relatively pivotable about the hinge between an open position to receive the terminal end of the first cable and a closed position wherein the first and second portions define an enclosure cavity configured to enclose the terminal end of the first cable.

An electrical connector assembly for mechanically and electrically connecting first and second cables each including an elongate electrical conductor covered by an insulation layer, the electrical connector assembly comprising:

• an insulation piercing connector comprising:
• a pair of clamping jaws, at least one of the jaws comprising at least one electrically conductive piercing member, and one of the clamping jaws comprising a connector member;
• a clamping mechanism configured and operable to force the at least one piercing member through the insulation layers of the first and second cables and into electrical engagement with the conductors of the first and second cables to form an electrical connection between the first and second cables;
• and
• a protective end cap configured to be secured to the connector member and configured to enclose a terminal end of the first cable, wherein the protective end cap comprises first and second portions pivotally connected by a hinge.