Loadbreak separable connector

An electrical connector comprising:

• a first member which includes:
• an opening for receiving a second member;
• a first electrical contact for making electrical contact with a second electrical contact of the second member;
• and
• a first retaining means which contacts a second retaining means on the second member to retain the second member in the first member;
• wherein when the second member is retained in the first member, a space having a first volume is defined between the first member and the second member, and when the second member is removed from the first member to a point at which the first retaining means is not in contact with the second retaining means, but the second member is still retained in the first member, the space has a maximum volume of 6 times the first volume.

A method of breaking an electrical connection comprising the steps of:

• providing a first electrical connector which includes a first electrical contact and a first retaining surface;
• inserting into the first electrical connector to a retained position in a second electrical connector which includes a second electrical contact which mates with the first electrical contact and a second retaining surface which mates with the first retaining surface;
• providing a space between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector when the second electrical connector is inserted into the first electrical connector, wherein the space has a first volume in the inserted position;
• removing the second electrical connector from the first electrical connector to a point at which the second retaining surface is no longer retained in the first retaining surface, but the second electrical connector is still retained in the first electrical connector, at which point the space has a second volume, wherein a ratio of the second volume to the first volume is about 3.5 or less.

A method of breaking an electrical connection comprising the steps of:

• providing a first electrical connector which includes a first electrical contact and a first retaining surface;
• inserting into the first electrical connector to a retained position in a second electrical connector which includes a second electrical contact which mates with the first electrical contact and a second retaining surface which mates with the first retaining surface;
• providing a space between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector when the second electrical connector is inserted into the first electrical connector, wherein the space has a first volume in the inserted position;
• removing the second electrical connector from the first electrical connector to a point at which the second retaining surface is no longer retained in the first retaining surface, but the second electrical connector is still retained in the first electrical connector, at which point the space has a second volume and a minimum pressure of 4.2 psi absolute.

An electrical connector comprising:

• a first member which includes:
• an opening that is closed at a first end and which receives a second member through a second end of the opening;
• a first electrical contact within the opening for making electrical contact with a second electrical contact of the second member;
• and
• a first retaining means within the opening which contacts a second retaining means on the second member to retain the second member in the first member;
• wherein a portion of the opening between the first end and the first retaining means is substantially cylindrical so as to create a volume that provides a clearance between the first member and the second member within the opening.