Electrical connector

A header connector comprising:

• a header body formed to include a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings;
• a plurality of signal pins configured for insertion into the plurality of first openings;
• and
• a plurality of shield blades configured for insertion into the plurality of second openings,
• wherein the plurality of signal pins are configured to cooperate with a plurality of conductive paths and signal contacts of a mating socket connector to form a plurality of transmission lines and the plurality of shield blades are configured to be electrically grounded and provide interrupted shielding of the plurality of transmission lines when the header connector and the socket connector are in a mated configuration, and
• wherein the plurality of shield blades extend into the socket connector when the header connector and the socket connector are in a mated configuration.

A socket connector comprising:

• a socket housing;
• a plurality of connector modules configured for insertion into the socket housing, each connector module including an insulating material encasing a plurality of conductive paths, each conductive path being coupled to a signal contact;
• and
• a plurality of first shields configured for insertion into the socket housing, each first shield extending along a first side of an associated connector module,
• wherein the plurality of conductive paths and signal contacts are configured to cooperate with a plurality of signal pins of a mating header connector to form a plurality of transmission lines and the plurality of first shields are configured to be electrically grounded and provide interrupted shielding of the plurality of transmission lines when the socket connector and the header connector are in a mated configuration.