Connectors for a single twisted pair of conductors

A connector for a single twisted pair of conductors comprises:

• receptacle housing presenting a forward face defining a port having a z-configuration that includes a first portion offset from a second portion, the first and second portion connected by a central portion;
• a first arched beam contact enclosed within the receptacle housing, the first arched beam contact positioned proximate the first portion of the forward face, and the first arched beam contact having a first orientation;
• and
• second arched beam contact enclosed within the receptacle housing, the second arched beam contact positioned proximate the second portion of the forward face, and the second arched beam contact having a second orientation opposite the first orientation, wherein
• the first and second arched beam contacts are electrically coupled to a circuit board or electrically coupled to first and second conductors of a single twisted pair of conductors.

A connector for a single twisted pair of conductors comprises:

• a receptacle housing presenting a forward face defining a port having a z-configuration that includes a first portion offset from a second portion, the first and second portion connected by a central portion;
• a first arched beam contact enclosed within the receptacle housing, the first arched beam contact positioned proximate the first portion of the forward face;
• and
• second arched beam contact enclosed within the receptacle housing, the second arched beam contact positioned proximate the second portion of the forward face, wherein
• the first and the second arched beam contacts cross over each other;
• and
• the first and second arched beam contacts are electrically coupled to a circuit board or electrically coupled to first and second conductors of a single twisted pair of conductors.

A plug and receptacle system, comprising:

• a plug, having a plug housing presenting a forward face having a z-configuration including a first portion and second portion connected by a central portion, the plug additionally having exposed first and second beam contacts positioned proximate the first and second portions respectively, the orientation of the second beam contact opposite the orientation of the first beam contact;
• and
• a receptacle, having a receptacle housing including a forward face defining a port that has a z-configuration including a first portion and a second portion connected by a central portion, the receptacle additionally including only first and second arch beam contacts positioned proximate the first and second portions of the port, respectively, the orientation of the second arched beam contact opposite the orientation of the first arched beam contact,
• wherein the port of the receptacle is configured to receive the plug placing the first arched beam in electrical contact with the first beam contact and the second arched beam contact in electrical contact with the second beam contact.

An electrical connector system comprising:

• a first electrical connector having a first housing and exactly two beam contacts within the first housing;
• and
• a second electrical connector having a second housing and exactly two arched beam contacts within the second housing,
• wherein the first electrical connector interfaces with the second electrical connector to establish an electrical coupling between one of the beam contacts and one of the arched beam contacts and to establish an electrical coupling between the other of the beam contacts and the other of the arched beam contacts.