Static-free interrogating connector for electric components

In combination, an electric component and a connector for making electrical connection to a plurality of exposed contact elements on the component, said component comprising a body comprising locating means and a number of exposed contact elements, said connector comprising a plurality of contact members and a housing, said housing including locating means for mating with said locating means on the component, such that the physical position of the contact elements on the component is defined with respect to the contact members of the connector,

• said contact members of said connector each comprising a fixed portion mounted in said housing, a terminal portion for electrical connection to a conductor, and a movable portion at least partially exposed with respect to said housing and adapted to engage a contact element on said electric component, at least said movable portion being biased into a rest position from which it is displaced when it engages a contact element on said component,
• said connector further comprising shorting means adapted to physically contact and be in electrically conductive relation with the movable portions of at least some of said contact members when in said rest position,
• said plurality of said contact members being arranged in at least one row and said shorting means comprising a conductive bar extending transversely to said row.

In combination, an electric component and a connector for making electrical connection to a plurality of exposed contact elements on the component, said component comprising a body comprising locating means and a number of exposed contact elements, said connector comprising a plurality of contact members and a housing, said housing including locating means for mating with said locating means on the component, such that the physical position of the contact elements on the component is defined with respect to the contact members of the connector,

• said contact members of said connector each comprising a fixed portion mounted in said housing, a terminal portion for electrical connection to a conductor, and a movable portion at least partially exposed with respect to said housing and adapted to engage a contact element on said electric component, at least said movable portion being biased into a rest position from which it is displaced when it engages a contact element on said component,
• said connector further comprising shorting means adapted to physically contact and be in electrically conductive relation with the movable portions of at least some of said contact members when in rest position,
• in further combination with means connected to said contact members for identifying a particular component responsive to interaction of the contact members with the particular component.