Zero insertion force socket having a base with compliant walls

An electrical assembly comprising:

• a socket comprising a dielectric base defining a plurality of passageways receiving a plurality of terminals therein, and a cover slidably mounted on the base and defining a plurality of holes in general alignment with the passageways respectively, the passageways being arranged in rows along a direction of sliding of the cover, the base having walls respectively between every two adjacent passageways, at least one empty cavity being defined in each of the walls;
• and
• an electronic package attached on the cover, the electronic package having a plurality of pins received in corresponding passageways of the base via corresponding holes of the cover;
• wherein
• each of the walls can deflect when a corresponding pin of the electronic package bears against the wall.

An electrical connector assembly comprising:

• an electrical socket including a base defining a mating face thereon and a plurality of passageways extending in a first direction;
• a plurality of terminals received within the corresponding passageways, respectively;
• a plurality of empty cavities located in the base beside the corresponding passageways, respectively;
• and
• an electronic component located above said mating face and including a plurality of conductive pins extending therefrom along said first direction and into the corresponding passageways, respectively, and engaged with the corresponding terminals, respectively;
• wherein
• each of said empty cavities is respectively spaced from the corresponding pin with a partition wall therebetween, said empty cavity rendering the partition wall deflectable in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction when the corresponding pin is moved too far along said second direction and hits the partition wall.