Z-directed connector components for printed circuit boards

A Z-directed connector for mounting in a printed circuit board (PCB) having a conductive trace on at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface thereof, at least two internal layers having one or more conductive traces between the top and bottom surfaces of the PCB and a mounting hole passing through the conductive traces on at least two of the internal layers of the PCB, comprising:

• an insulative body having a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface, and a cross-sectional shape that is insertable into the mounting hole in the PCB, the side surface having a plurality of pockets therein for containing a soldering paste,
• a first electrical conductor disposed within the body electrically interconnecting at least two of the plurality of pockets;
• a second conductor extending from one of the at least two pockets entirely within the body to one of the top surface of the body and the bottom surface of the body forming a test point at said top or bottom surface,
• wherein, with the Z-directed connector mounted in the mounting hole, soldering paste applied, and the at least two electrically interconnected pockets aligned with respective internal conductive traces on each of the at least two internal layers, the respective internal conductive traces being electrically interconnected upon heating the solder paste.