Electrical connector with preloaded spring-like terminal with improved wiping action

An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

• a dielectric body including a partition-like wall defining a base, oppositely facing sides, an end face and a reverse angle ledge formed in one of the oppositely facing sides;
• and
• a leaf-type terminal including a generally flat leg portion fixed against the other side of the wall, a spacer leg portion projecting outwardly from the other side of the wall at an end of the flat leg portion spaced from the base of the wall, a spring contact portion for surface engagement with a contact element of a mating connector component, the spring contact portion projecting from an outer end of the spacer leg portion in a bowed configuration around the end face of the wall and spaced therefrom for flexingly surface engaging the contact element of the mating connector component in a given direction generally perpendicular to the end face of the wall, and a lip at a distal end of the bowed spring contact portion, the lip being bent inwardly and at a reverse angle back toward the end face of the wall for seating beneath the ledge to preload the spring contact portion and to resist flexing of the spring contact portion if engaged by an extraneous object in a direction generally toward the other side of the wall.