Connector having self-sealing membrane

A connector, comprising:

• a housing having a first entrance aperture, a first wire insertion hole, a second entrance aperture, a second wire insertion hole, a first test channel and a second test channel;
• a first terminal strip having a first wire contact region;
• a second terminal strip having a second wire contact region;
• said first test channel providing a fluid communication path to said first terminal strip that is distinct from said first entrance aperture and said first wire insertion hole;
• said second test channel providing a fluid communication path to said second terminal strip that is distinct from said second entrance aperture and said second wire insertion hole;
• a first connector test point disposed on said first terminal strip at a portion of said first terminal strip disposed within said first test channel and in spaced apart relation to said first wire contact region within the first test channel;
• a second connector test point disposed on said second terminal strip at a portion of said second terminal strip disposed within said second test channel and in spaced apart relation to said second wire contact region within the second test channel and spaced apart from the first connector test point;
• and
• at least one membrane attached to the housing so as to cover one end of each of the first and second test channels to at least substantially seal the first and second test channels.

A method of testing an electrical connection, comprising the steps of:

• providing a connector having a housing, said housing having an entrance aperture, a wire insertion hole, and a terminal strip having a wire contact region, a test channel formed within the housing, said test channel providing a fluid communication path to said terminal strip that is distinct from said entrance aperture and said wire insertion hole, a connector test point disposed on said terminal strip at a portion of said terminal strip disposed within said test channel and in spaced apart relation to said wire contact region within the test channel and a membrane attached to the housing and over the test channel;
• piercing a test aperture in the membrane;
• and
• inserting a test probe into the test channel to contact said wire contact region of said terminal strip and test the electrical connection.

A method of manufacturing an insulation displacement connector, comprising the steps of:

• providing a housing having an entrance aperture, a wire insertion hole and;
• a test channel, the test channel having a portion of a terminal strip having a wire contact region disposed therein, said test channel providing a fluid communication path to said terminal strip that is distinct from said entrance aperture and said wire insertion hole;
• and
• forming a membrane over an end of the test channel to substantially seal the test channel from outside contaminants.