Electrical connector

An electrical connector comprising:

• a first connector housing for holding a plurality of first electric terminals, said first connector housing having front and rear ends and including at least one resiliently-deformable engaging arm provided thereon so as to extend forward thereof, said engaging arm having an engaging protrusion at a forward end thereof;
• a second connector housing for holding a plurality of second electric terminals, said second connector housing having front and rear ends and being releasably fitted to said first connector housing with said second terminals being held in electrical contact with said first terminals, respectively, said second connector housing including at least one first guide groove formed therein for receiving said engaging arm, said first guide groove having an engaging portion with which said engaging protrusion is held in engagement and a stepped wall portion formed adjacent to said front end of said second connector housing;
• a short-circuiting element accommodated in said first connector housing in electrical contact with at least two of said first terminals to connect said two first terminals;
• a sliding element arranged on said second connector housing so as to be slidable forward and rearward of said second connector housing, said sliding element having a front tongue engageable with said short-circuiting element to disengage said short-circuiting element from said two first terminals;
• and
• an urging element disposed between said sliding element and said second connector housing for urging said sliding element in a direction forward from said second connector housing;
• wherein said engaging arm and said first guide groove are constructed so that upon fitting of said first and second connector housings, said engaging arm is resiliently deformed by said stepped wall portion of said first guide groove to be brought into abutment with said sliding element to thereby move said sliding element towards said rear end of said second connector housing, whereas upon completion of the fitting of said first and second connector housings, said engaging arm is restored to a released position where said engaging protrusion is held in engagement with said engaging portion of said first guide groove, while permitting said sliding element to move forward of said second connector housing.