Patent Publication Number: US-2011053421-A1

Title: Electrical connector for terminating the end of an electrical cable

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter described and/or illustrated herein relates generally to electrical connectors, and, more particularly, to electrical connectors that terminate the end of electrical cables. 
     Electrical cables are used to interconnect a wide variety of electrical components and come in a variety of sizes, materials, and types. Electrical cables generally include one or more electrical conductors and a protective jacket surrounding the electrical conductors. The electrical conductors are typically each surrounded by insulation to electrically insulate the conductors from each other, although some electrical cables include one or more uninsulated conductors for a circuit neutral and/or ground connection. The protective jacket of some electrical cables is armored to protect the electrical conductors from, for example, water, oil, sunlight, underground conditions, chemical vapors, mechanical impact, high and/or low temperatures, ionizing radiation, and/or the like. The armored jacket is typically constructed from metal, but may sometimes be fabricated from plastic or other materials. Examples of metal armored jackets include metal conduits or tubes that surround the electrical conductors, metal wires that are spiraled around the electrical conductors, metal tape that is wrapped around the electrical conductors, and/or the like. The metal conduits, tubes, wires, and tape may be corrugated to impart at least some flexibility to the armored jacket. Electrical cables having armored jackets are sometimes referred to as “armored cables”. 
     Armored cables are hardwired to the electrical components that the armored cable interconnects. Moreover, one or more of the electrical components are sometimes located in spaces that may be difficult to access, such as, but not limited to, the space between two walls of a building, the space between a ceiling and a floor of the building, and/or underneath the ground, a walkway, a driveway, a road, and/or the like. For example, armored cables are often used to interconnect light fixtures to a junction box of an electrical distribution system. Junction boxes are often mounted within spaces that may be difficult to access, such as, but not limited to, the space between two walls of a building, the space between a ceiling and a floor of the building, or underneath the ground, a walkway, a driveway, a road, and/or the like. It may therefore be difficult or impossible to access the electrical component once the ceiling, wall, or floor is finished without damaging a portion of the ceiling, wall, or floor. Similarly, once buried, it may be difficult or impossible to access the electrical component without digging up the ground, walkway, road, or driveway. The electrical component may therefore need to be hardwired to the armored cable before the ceiling, floor, wall, walkway, road, or driveway is finished, which may increase a difficulty, cost, and/or inconvenience of installing the electrical component. Moreover, it may be difficult or impossible to change or replace an existing electrical component that has been hardwired to the armored cable without removing or damaging a portion of the ceiling, wall, or floor, or without digging up the ground, walkway, road, or driveway. Furthermore, electrical components that are hardwired to armored cables may need to be installed by a licensed electrician, which may increase a cost and/or inconvenience of installing the electrical component. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a connector and armored cable assembly includes an armored cable having an electrical wire, and a connector. The connector includes a connector housing having a mating interface. The connector housing is configured to mate with a mating connector along the mating interface. The mating interface is a separable interface such that the connector housing is separable from the mating connector at the mating interface after the connector housing and the mating connector have been mated together. A connector contact is held by the connector housing. The connector contact is configured to engage a mating contact of the mating connector. The connector contact is electrically connected to the electrical wire of the armored cable. 
     In another embodiment, a connector is provided for terminating the end of an electrical wire. The connector includes a cover and a housing held by the cover. The housing includes a mating interface configured to mate with a mating connector. The housing is rotatably held by the cover such that the housing is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the cover. The connector also includes a connector contact held by the housing. The connector contact is configured to engage a mating contact of the mating connector. The connector contact is configured to terminate the end of the electrical wire. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a light fixture and junction box system. 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the light fixture and junction box system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cable connector and an exemplary embodiment of an electrical cable of the light fixture and junction box system shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the cable connector and electrical cable shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of the cable connector shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mating connector of the light fixture and junction box system shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the mating connector shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a light fixture and junction box system  10 .  FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the light fixture and junction box system  10 . The system  10  includes a light fixture  12 , a junction box  14 , a connector assembly  16 , and an electrical cable  38 . As will be described below, the connector assembly  16  and the electrical cable  38  electrically connect the light fixture  12  to the junction box  14  for supplying electrical power from the junction box  14  to the light fixture  12 . 
     The light fixture  12  includes a fixture housing  18  and a pair of fixture contacts  20  (not visible in  FIG. 2 ). The fixture housing  18  is configured to hold any source (not shown) of artificial light or illumination, such as, but not limited to, a light bulb, a light emitting diode (LED), and/or the like. The source of artificial light or illumination may be referred to herein as a “light source”. The fixture housing  18  holds the light source such that the light source is electrically connected to the fixture contacts  20  for receiving electrical power therefrom. For example, the light source may include one or more electrical contacts (not shown) that engage a corresponding one of the fixture contacts  20  when the light source is held by the fixture housing  18 . In the exemplary embodiment, the fixture housing  18  defines a receptacle  22  (not visible in  FIG. 2 ) and the fixture housing  18  is configured to hold the light source within the receptacle  22 . However, the fixture housing  18  may hold the light source in any configuration, arrangement, geometry, orientation, manner, at any location of the fixture housing  18 , and/or the like that enables the light source to emit artificial light or illumination. Moreover, the fixture housing  18  may hold the light source using any structure, fastener, means, connector, and/or the like, such as, but not limited to, using a threaded fastener, a clip, a snap-fit connection, and interference-fit connection, and/or the like. Although two fixture contacts  20  are shown, the fixture housing  18  may hold any number of fixture contacts  20 . 
     The light fixture  12  may be any type of light fixture, such as, but not limited to a fixed light fixture, a free-standing or portable light fixture, and/or the like. As used herein the term “fixed light fixture” is intended to mean a light fixture that is configured to be fixedly and securely mounted on a support structure, such as, but not limited to, a ceiling, a wall, a floor, the ground, a walkway, a driveway, a road, a bridge, concrete, asphalt, blacktop, and/or the like. In the exemplary embodiment, the light fixture  12  is a fixed light fixture that is configured to be mounted on a ceiling, a wall, or a floor of a building (not shown) in a recessed manner. Alternatively the light fixture is not a recessed light fixture. Although shown as having a conical shape, the fixture housing  18  may additionally or alternatively include any other shape(s). The light fixture  12  optionally includes other components, such as, but not limited to, a reflector (not shown), an electrical ballast (not shown), an LED driver assembly (not shown), and/or the like. 
     The junction box  14  includes a housing  24  that holds electrical components (not shown), such as, but not limited to, electrical contacts, electrical switches, electrical fuses, LED driver components, and/or the like. The housing  24  includes one or more openings  26  for holding one or more electrical connectors, such as, but not limited to, a mating connector  28  of the connector assembly  16 . The junction box  14  may form a portion of a power distribution system (not shown) of a building (not shown) or an outdoor area (not shown). One or more of the electrical components of the junction box  14  is electrically connected to an electrical power source (not shown) of the electrical power distribution system. 
     The connector assembly  16  includes the mating connector  28  and a cable connector  30 . In the exemplary embodiment, the light fixture  12  is hardwired to an end  31  of the electrical cable  38 , while the cable connector  30  terminates an opposite end  33  of the electrical cable  38 . Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment a plurality of electrical wires  36  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) of the electrical cable  38  are electrically connected to the fixture contacts  20  of the light fixture  12  at the end  31  of the electrical cable  38 . At the end  33 , the electrical wires  36  are terminated by the cable connector  30 . The mating connector  28  is electrically connected to one or more electrical components of the junction box  14 . The mating connector  28  and the cable connector  30  are configured to be mated together, as shown in  FIG. 1 , along respective mating interfaces  32  and  34 . The ends  31  and  33  may each be referred to herein as a “cable end”. 
     When mated together, the connectors  28  and  30  are electrically connected together to electrically connect the light fixture  12  to the junction box  14  via the electrical cable  38 . Specifically, when the mating connector  28  is mated with the cable connector  30 , the connector assembly  16 , via the electrical cable  38 , electrically connects the fixture contacts  20  of the light fixture  12  to the electrical component(s) of the junction box  14  that the mating connector  28  is electrically connected to. Electrical power from the electrical power source of the electrical power distribution system can thereby be supplied to the light fixture  12  via the junction box  14 , the connector assembly  16 , and the electrical cable  38 . 
     The connectors  28  and  30  are separable at the mating interfaces  32  and  34  such that the connectors  28  and  30  provide a separable interface between the electrical cable  38  and the junction box  14 . The connectors  28  and  30  thereby provide a separable interface between the light fixture  12  and the junction box  14 . In addition or alternative to the separable interface between the electrical cable  38  and the junction box  14  provided by the connector assembly  16 , a separable interface between the end  31  of the electrical cable  38  and the light fixture  12  may be provided using a connector assembly (not shown) that is substantially similar to the connector assembly  16 . Specifically, the end  31  of the electrical cable  38  may be terminated by a connector (not shown) that is substantially similar to the cable connector  30  or the mating connector  28 , with the fixture contacts  20  of the light fixture  12  being electrically connected to a connector (not shown) that is substantially similar to the mating connector  28  or the cable connector  30 . The connector that optionally terminates the end  31  of the electrical cable  38  mates with the optional connector that is electrically connected to the fixture contacts  20  along a separable interface. The optional connector that is electrically connected to the fixture contacts  20  may or may not be held by the fixture housing  18 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the mating connector  28  is held by the housing  24  of the junction box  14 . Alternatively, the mating connector  28  is not held by the housing  24  of the junction box  14  but rather is mechanically connected to the junction box  14  via one or more electrical wires, which may or may not be grouped in an electrical cable, such as, but not limited to, an armored cable and/or the like. Moreover, in an alternative embodiment the cable connector  30  is electrically connected to one or more of the electrical components of the junction box  14  and the mating connector  28  terminates the end  33  of the electrical cable  38 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the cable connector  30  and an exemplary embodiment of the electrical cable  38  illustrating the cable connector  30  terminating the end  33  of the electrical cable  38 .  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the cable connector  30  and the electrical cable  38 . In the exemplary embodiment, the cable connector  30  includes a connector housing  40 , a pair of connector contacts  42 , and a cover  50 . The electrical cable  38 , in the exemplary embodiment, includes the electrical wires  36  (not visible in  FIG. 3 ) and an armored jacket  44  surrounding the electrical wires  36 . Each electrical wire  36  extends from an end  46  (not visible in  FIG. 3 ) that is terminated by, and thus electrically connected to, a corresponding one of the connector contacts  42  and an opposite end (not shown) that is terminated by, and thus electrically connected to, a corresponding one of the fixture contacts  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the jacket  44  is armored to protect the electrical wires  36  from, for example, water, oil, sunlight, underground conditions, chemical vapors, mechanical impact, high and/or low temperatures, ionizing radiation, and/or the like. The armored jacket  44  is constructed from metal in the exemplary embodiment, but may alternatively be fabricated from a plastic, any other non-metallic materials, and/or the like. In the exemplary embodiment, the armored jacket  44  is a metal conduit, or tube, that surrounds the electrical wires  36 . Alternatively, the armored jacket  44  is fabricated from metal wires that are spiraled around the electrical wires  36 , metal tape that is wrapped around the electrical wires  36 , and/or the like. The armored jacket  44  is optionally corrugated, which may impart at least some flexibility to the armored jacket  44 . The electrical cable  38  may be referred to herein as an “armored cable”. In alternative embodiments, the armored jacket  44  may be any other type of jacket fabricated from any material(s), such as, but not limited to, a jacket fabricated from an electrically and/or thermally insulating material, and/or the like. In some alternative embodiments, the electrical cable  38  is not armored. Moreover, in an alternative embodiment, the electrical wires  36  are not grouped together in the electrical cable  38 , such that the jacket  44  is not included. In the exemplary embodiment, each electrical wire  36  includes one or more strands of an electrical conductor (not shown) that is surrounded by an insulating layer  48  (not visible in  FIG. 3 ). Alternatively, one or more of the electrical wires  36  may not include the insulating layer  48 . For example, the electrical cable  38  may include one or more uninsulated electrical wires  36  for a circuit neutral and/or ground connection (although circuit neutral and ground connections may also be provided by the electrical cable  38  using insulated electrical wires  36 ). Although two electrical wires  36  and two connector contacts  42  are shown, the cable connector  30  may include any number of connector contacts  42  for terminating any number of electrical wires  36 . 
     As will be described below, the connector housing  40  is rotatably held by the cover  50  for rotation relative to the cover  50 . In the exemplary embodiment, the cover  50  includes a pair of cover members  54  and  56  that connect together to define the cover  50 . Alternatively the cover  50  is defined by only a single cover member, or by more than two cover members that connect together to define the cover  50 . In the exemplary embodiment, the cover members  54  and  56  each include one or more mounting ears  60  having openings  62  (not visible in  FIG. 3 ) that receive threaded fasteners  64  for connecting the cover members  54  and  56  together. In addition or alternative to the mounting ears  60 , the openings  62 , and/or the threaded fasteners  64 , the cover members  54  and  56  may be connected together using any other type of arrangement, structure, means, connection type, fasteners, and/or the like, such as, but not limited to, a snap-fit, an interference fit, using a clip, using a latch, and/or the like. 
     The cover  50  extends a length along a central longitudinal axis  65 . A cavity  70  extends within the cover  50 . A portion of the end  33  of the cable  38  is held within the cavity  70  such that a portion of each of the electrical wires  36  extends, and is therefore held, within the cavity  70 . Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, an end  74  of the armored jacket  44  is received within the cavity  70  through an end  68  of the cover  50  and is mechanically connected to the cover  50  to hold the electrical cable  38  to the cover  50 . In the exemplary embodiment, an interior surface  76  (not visible in  FIG. 3 ) of the cover  50  includes one or more extensions  78  that extend outwardly from the surface for reception within a corresponding groove  80  of the armored jacket  44 . Reception of the extensions  78  within the grooves  80  facilitates holding the armored  44 , and thus the electrical cable  38 , to the cover  50 . An end  66  of the cover  50  includes a groove  82  within the interior surface  76  of the cover  50  for receiving a flange  84  of the connector housing  40  for holding the connector housing  40  to the cover  50 , as will be described below. 
       FIG. 5  is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of the cable connector  30  illustrating the connector housing  40 , one of the connector contacts  42 , and the electrical wires  36 . Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5 , the connector housing  40  extends outwardly from the end  66  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the cover  50  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). The connector housing  40  extends a length along a central longitudinal axis  88  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) from an end  90  to an opposite end  92 . The mating interface  34  of the cable connector  30  includes the end  90  of the connector housing  40 . The connector housing  40  is configured to separabely mate with the mating connector  28  ( FIGS. 1 ,  6 , and  7 ) at the mating interface  34 . The connector housing  40  includes a base  94 , which includes the end  90 . The base  94  includes the flange  84  extending radially outward from the base  94  relative to the central longitudinal axis  88 . An opening  96  (not visible in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) extends into the base  94  through the end  90 . In some embodiments, a cap (not shown) is provided for covering at least a portion of the end  90  of the connector housing  40  when the cable connector  30  is not mated with the mating connector  28 , for example to protect the mating interface  34 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the central longitudinal axis  88  of the connector housing  40  extends approximately perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis  65  of the cover  50 , such that the cable connector  30  is a right angle connector. Alternatively, the central longitudinal axis  88  of the connector housing  40  extends at any other non-perpendicular angle relative to the central longitudinal axis  65  of the cover  50 , such as, but not limited to, approximately parallel to the central longitudinal axis  65 , an oblique angle relative to the central longitudinal axis  65 , and/or the like. 
     A pair of extensions  98  extends outwardly from the base  94  along the central longitudinal axis  88 . Each extension  98  extends a length from the base  94  to a free end  100 . Each extension  98  includes a contact cavity  102  (not visible in  FIG. 5 ) extending into the extension  98  through the free end  100 . The contact cavities  102  communicate with the opening  96  that extends through the base  94 . As described above, each connector contact  42  terminates an end  46  of a corresponding one of the electrical wires  36 . The contacts  42  and the electrical wire ends  46  are inserted into the opening  96  through the end  90  such that each connector contact  42  is held within the contact cavity  102  of a corresponding one of the extensions  98 . When held within the corresponding contact cavity  102 , the connector contacts  42  extend along the mating interface  34  for mating with a corresponding mating contact  104  ( FIGS. 6  and  7 ) of the mating connector ( FIGS. 1 ,  6 , and  7 ). A positioning member  108  (not visible in  FIG. 3 ) holds the connector contacts  42  within the connector housing  40 . In the exemplary embodiment, the positioning member  108  includes a base  109  and a plurality of contact barrels  111  (only visible in  FIG. 4 ) that extend outwardly from the base  109 . The base  109  is received within the opening  96  at the end  90  of the connector housing  40  such that the contact barrels  111  extend into corresponding ones of the contact cavities  102 . The connector contacts  42  extend through corresponding openings  113  (only visible in  FIG. 5 ) within the base  111  and the contact barrels  111  such that mating ends  115  of the connector contacts  42  extend outwardly from the contact barrels  111  into the corresponding contact cavities  102 . Optionally, the base  109  of the positioning member  108  seals the opening  96  at the end  90  of the connector housing  40 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the extensions  98  define plugs of the mating interface  34  that are each configured to be received within a corresponding receptacle  106  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) of the mating connector  28 . Alternatively, one or more of the extensions  98  defines a receptacle that is configured to receive a plug (not shown) of the extension  140  ( FIG. 6 ) and/or another portion of the housing  120  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) of the mating connector  28 . Although two extensions  98  are shown, the connector housing  40  may include any number of extensions  98  for holding any number of connector contacts  42 . Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment each of the connector contacts  42  defines a receptacle contact that is configured to receive the corresponding mating contact  104  therein. Alternatively, one or more of the connector contacts  42  defines a pin or plug that is configured to be received within a receptacle (not shown) of the corresponding mating contact  104 . 
     Each extension  98  optionally includes one or more keying features  110  to facilitate mating the cable connector  30  with the mating connector  28  in a desired relative orientation. For example, the keying features  110  may prevent the cable connector  30  from being mated with the mating connector  28  in an opposite relative polarity. In addition or alternative to the keying features  110 , the connector housing  40  may include any other keying features, such as, but not limited to, one or more keying extensions (not shown) that extends outwardly from the base  94  along the central longitudinal axis  88  adjacent or within the mating interface  34 , and/or the like. 
     The connector housing  40  includes one or more optional latching members  112 . In the exemplary embodiment, each of the latching members  112  includes a window  114  that extends outwardly from the base  94 . Each window  114  functions as a hook that is configured to engage a latching member  116  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) of the mating connector  28  for holding the connectors  28  and  30  together when mated. In addition or alternative to the latching members  112  and/or the windows  114 , the connector housing  40  may include any other structure, means, latching arrangement, and/or the like for holding the connectors  28  and  30  together when mated. Although two latching members  112  are shown, the connector housing  40  may include any number of the latching members  112  for cooperation with any number of latching members  116  of the mating connector  28 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , as described above, the connector housing  40  is rotatably held by the cover  50  for rotation relative to the cover  50 . Specifically, the flange  84  of the connector housing  40  is received within the groove  82  within the end  66  of the cover  50  to hold the connector housing  40  to the cover  50 . The flange  84  is movable within the groove  82  to enable rotation of the connector housing  40  about an axis of rotation  118  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) relative to the cover  50 . Rotation of the connector housing  40  about the axis of rotation  118  may make it easier to move the extensions  98  of the cable connector  30  into the desired relative orientation with the mating connector  28 . For example, if the connector housing  40  was not rotatable relative to the cover  50 , a stiffness of the electrical cable  38  may make it difficult to move the extensions  98  into the desired relative orientation with the mating connector  28 . Moreover, and for example, if the connector housing  40  was not rotatable relative to the cover  50 , a stiffness of the electrical cable  38  may fatigue and/or damage the cable connector  30  and/or the electrical cable  38  when the cable connector  30  is mated with the mating connector  28  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 , and  7 ). In some embodiments, a bearing (not shown) may be operatively connected between the flange  84  and the groove  82  to facilitate rotation of the connector housing  40  relative to the cover  50 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the mating connector  28 .  FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the mating connector  28 . In the exemplary embodiment, the mating connector  28  includes a mating housing  120  and a pair of the mating contacts  104  (not visible in  FIG. 7 ). As described above, the mating connector  28  is electrically connected to one or more electrical components (not shown) of the junction box  14  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In the exemplary embodiment, the mating contacts  104  of the mating connector  28  are each electrically connected to one or more electrical components of the junction box  14  via a corresponding electrical wire  122  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ). Alternatively, the mating contacts  104  of the mating connector  28  are directly electrically connected to an electrical component of the junction box  14 , such as, but not limited to, a circuit board (not shown) and/or the like. Each electrical wire  122  extends from an end  124  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ) that is terminated by, and thus electrically connected to, a corresponding one of the mating contacts  104  and an opposite end (not shown) that is terminated by, and thus electrically connected to, one or more electrical components of the junction box  14 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, each electrical wire  122  includes one or more strands of an electrical conductor (not shown) that is surrounded by an insulating layer  126 . Although two electrical wires  122  and two mating contacts  104  are shown, the mating connector  30  may include any number of mating contacts  104  for terminating any number of electrical wires  122 . 
     The mating housing  120  extends a length along a central longitudinal axis  130  from an end  132  to an opposite end  134 . The mating interface  32  (not visible in  FIG. 7 ) of the mating connector  28  includes the end  134  of the mating housing  120 . The mating housing  120  is configured to separabely mate with the cable connector  30  (FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5 ) at the mating interface  32 . The mating housing  120  includes a base  136 , a contact barrel  138  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ) extending outwardly from the base  136  along the central longitudinal axis  130 , and an extension  140  extending outwardly from the base  136  along the central longitudinal axis  130  in an opposite direction to the contact barrel  138 . The contact barrel  138  includes the end  132 , while the extension  140  includes the end  134 . The mating interface  32  includes the extension  140 . In some embodiments, a cap (not shown) is provided for covering at least a portion of the end  134  of the mating housing  120  when the mating connector  28  is not mated with the cable connector  30 , for example to protect the mating interface  32 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 , and  7 , the mating housing  120  is held by the housing  24  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the junction box  14  within an opening  26  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the junction box housing  24 . In the exemplary embodiment, the base  136  of the mating housing  120  includes one or more lips  141  and/or one or more latches  142  for connecting the mating housing  120  to the junction box housing  24 . The lip  141  engages a surface  144  of the junction box housing  24 . The latch  142  includes a resilient hook  146  that engages the junction box housing  24  to facilitate holding the mating housing  120  to the junction box housing  24 . In addition or alternative to the lip  141 , the latch  142 , and/or the hook  146 , the mating housing  120  may be held by the junction box housing  24  using any other type of arrangement, structure, means, connection type, fasteners, and/or the like, such as, but not limited to, a snap-fit, an interference fit, using a clip, using threaded fastener(s), and/or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a cavity  148  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ) extends into the contact barrel  138  and the base  136  through the end  132 . The extension  140  includes a pair of the receptacles  106  (not visible in  FIG. 7 ) extending into the extension  140  through the end  134 . The receptacles  106  communicate with the cavity  148  that extends through the contact barrel  138  and the base  136 . As described above, each mating contact  104  terminates an end  124  of a corresponding one of the electrical wires  122 . The mating contacts  104  and the electrical wire ends  124  are inserted into the cavity  148  through the end  132  such that each mating contact  104  is held within the corresponding receptacle  106 . When held within the corresponding receptacle  106 , the mating contacts  104  extend along the mating interface  32  for mating with the corresponding connector contact  42  ( FIGS. 3-5 ) of the cable connector  30  (FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5 ). An optional positioning member  152  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ) holds the mating contacts  104  within the mating housing  120 . The positioning member  152  is received within the cavity  148  at the end  132  of the mating housing  120 . The mating contacts  104  extend through corresponding openings  153  within the positioning member  152  such that mating ends  155  (not visible in  FIG. 7 ) of the mating contacts  104  extend into the corresponding receptacles  106 . Optionally, the positioning member  152  seals the cavity  148  at the end  132  of the mating housing  120 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the extension  140  includes one or more pins or plugs (not shown) configured to be received within a receptacle (not shown) of the cable connector  30 . Although two receptacles  106  are shown, the mating housing  120  may include any number of receptacles  106  for holding any number of mating contacts  104 . Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment each of the mating contacts  104  defines a pin or plug contact that is configured to be received within the corresponding connector contact  42 . Alternatively, one or more of the mating contacts  104  defines a receptacle that is configured to receive a pin or plug (not shown) of the corresponding connector contact  42 . 
     Each receptacle  106  optionally includes one or more keying features  150  (not visible in  FIG. 7 ) to facilitate mating the mating connector  28  with the cable connector  30  in a desired relative orientation. For example, the keying features  150  may prevent the cable connector  30  from being mated with the mating connector  28  in an opposite relative polarity. In addition or alternative to the keying features  150 , the mating housing  120  may include any other keying features, such as, but not limited to, one or more keying extensions (not shown) extending into the corresponding receptacle  106 , and/or the like. 
     The mating housing  120  includes one or more of the optional latching members  116  (not visible in  FIG. 7 ). In the exemplary embodiment, each of the latching members  116  includes a ledge  154  that extends outwardly from the extension  140 . Each ledge  154  is configured to engage a corresponding one of the latching members  112  ( FIGS. 3-5 ) of the cable connector  30  for holding the connectors  28  and  30  together when mated. In addition or alternative to the latching members  116  and/or the ledges  154 , the mating housing  120  may include any other structure, means, latching arrangement, and/or the like for holding the connectors  28  and  30  together when mated. Although two latching members  116  are shown, the mating housing  120  may include any number of the latching members  116  for cooperation with any number of latching members  112  of the cable connector  30 . 
     Although shown as electrically connecting a junction box  14  to a light fixture  12 , the electrical cable  38  and the connector assembly  16  are not limited thereto. Rather, the electrical cable  38  and the connector assembly  16  may electrically connect any types of electrical components together. In some alternative embodiments, the electrical cable  38  and the connector assembly  16  electrically connect two junction boxes together. Moreover, the electrical cable  38  and the connector assembly  16  are not limited to transmitting electrical power between electrical components, but rather may additionally or alternatively transmit electrical data signals, optical power, optical data signals, and/or the like between any types of components. The connector assembly  16  is not limited to connecting a cable to another type of component (i.e., not a cable), but rather may directly connect two cables together or two non-cable components together. Furthermore, the connector assembly  16  is not limited for use with an armored cable, but rather may be used with unarmored cables. 
     The embodiments described and/or illustrated herein may provide a separable interface between an armored cable and another component. The embodiments described and/or illustrated herein may provide an armored cable that can be connected to another component without being hardwired to the other component. The embodiments described and/or illustrated herein may provide a connector terminating the end of a cable that may be more easily orientated relative to a mating connector. 
     Exemplary embodiments are described and/or illustrated herein in detail. The embodiments are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components and/or steps of each embodiment may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. Each component, and/or each step of one embodiment, can also be used in combination with other components and/or steps of other embodiments. When introducing elements/components/etc. described and/or illustrated herein, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, “said”, and “at least one” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the element(s)/component(s)/etc. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional element(s)/component(s)/etc. other than the listed element(s)/component(s)/etc. Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. in the claims are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described and/or illustrated herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description and illustrations. The scope of the subject matter described and/or illustrated herein should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure. 
     While the subject matter described and/or illustrated herein has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter described and/or illustrated herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.