Notched contact for a modular plug

A modular telecommunications plug for connection to a jack, the modular telecommunications plug comprising:

• a housing defining a latch for snap-fit engagement with the jack, the housing further defining a front termination end and a rear cable receiving end, the front termination end configured to house a plurality of wires of a telecommunications cable to be inserted into the housing from the rear cable receiving end along a cable insertion direction, the front termination end also including a plurality of contacts configured to engage the plurality of wires in a direction generally perpendicular to the cable insertion direction;
• each of the contacts comprising:
• a generally planar body defining a top end, a bottom end, a front end, a rear end, and a length extending from the front end to the rear end, wherein the bottom end is at least partially defined by a blade for piercing an insulation of a wire positioned within the plug and at least a portion of the top end is configured to electrically contact a conductor of a jack that receives the modular telecommunications plug;
• the top end defined at least in part by a first engagement surface that is separated from a second engagement surface by a notch, wherein an uppermost portion of the first engagement surface defines a first push surface that is generally at the same height as a second push surface defined by an uppermost portion of the second engagement surface;
• the notch defined by a front vertical wall spaced from a rear vertical wall, wherein the front vertical wall defining the notch is positioned at a distance of at least half the length of the contact from the front end of the contact.

A telecommunications cable assembly comprising:

• a modular telecommunications plug for connection to a jack, the modular telecommunications plug comprising a housing defining a latch for snap-fit engagement with the jack;
• a telecommunications cable defining a cable jacket surrounding a plurality of insulated wires coupled to the housing, wherein a plurality of contacts of the modular telecommunications plug engage the wires of the telecommunications cable coupled to the housing;
• each of the contacts comprising:
• a generally planar body defining a top end, a bottom end, a front end, a rear end, and a length extending from the front end to the rear end, wherein the bottom end is at least partially defined by a blade for piercing an insulation of a wire coupled to the plug and at least a portion of the top end is configured to electrically contact a conductor of a jack that receives the modular telecommunications plug;
• the top end defined at least in part by a first engagement surface that is separated from a second engagement surface by a notch, wherein an uppermost portion of the first engagement surface defines a first push surface that is generally at the same height as a second push surface defined by an uppermost portion of the second engagement surface;
• the notch defined by a front vertical wall spaced from a rear vertical wall, wherein the front vertical wall defining the notch is positioned at a distance of at least half the length of the contact from the front end of the contact.

A modular telecommunications plug for connection to a jack, the modular telecommunications plug comprising:

• a housing defining a latch for snap-fit engagement with the jack, the housing further defining a front termination end and a rear cable receiving end, the front termination end configured to house a plurality of wires of a telecommunications cable to be inserted into the housing from the rear cable receiving end along a cable insertion direction, the front termination end also including a plurality of contacts configured to engage the plurality of wires in a direction generally perpendicular to the cable insertion direction;
• each of the contacts comprising:
• a generally planar body defining a top end, a bottom end, a front end, a rear end, and a length extending from the front end to the rear end, wherein the bottom end is at least partially defined by a blade for piercing an insulation of a wire positioned within the plug and at least a portion of the top end is configured to electrically contact a conductor of a jack that receives the modular telecommunications plug;
• the top end defined at least in part by a first engagement surface that is separated from a second engagement surface by a notch, wherein an uppermost portion of the first engagement surface defines a first push surface that is generally at the same height as a second push surface defined by an uppermost portion of the second engagement surface;
• wherein the first engagement surface is closer to the front termination end than the second engagement surface;
• wherein the second engagement surface is closer to the rear cable receiving end than the first engagement surface;
• wherein the first engagement surface is longer than the second engagement surface.