A modular Ball Grid Array connector system comprising: (a) a modular plug assembly, comprising: (a 1) a first common base; (a 2) a plurality of plug contact assemblies comprising a plurality of plug contacts (59, 61) molded to a plastic carrier, mounted in the first common base within the plug assembly, each plug contact (59, 61) comprising an end which is secured to one of a plurality of fusible elements adjacent to the common base opposite the plastic carrier; (a 3) a separate plug cover coupled to the first common base; and (b) a modular receptacle assembly that mates with the plug assembly, comprising: (b 1) a second common base; (b 2) a plurality of receptacle contact assemblies comprising a plurality of receptacle contacts (84, 86) molded to a plastic carrier, mounted in the second common base within the receptacle assembly, each receptacle contact (84, 86) comprising an end which is secured to one of a plurality of fusible elements adjacent to the common base opposite the plastic carrier; (b 3) a separate receptacle cover that is coupled to the second common base, and that mates with the plug cover; wherein the first common base and the second common base are identical and interchangeable. (a) a modular plug assembly, comprising: (a 1) a first common base; (a 2) a plurality of plug contact assemblies comprising a plurality of plug contacts (59, 61) molded to a plastic carrier, mounted in the first common base within the plug assembly, each plug contact (59, 61) comprising an end which is secured to one of a plurality of fusible elements adjacent to the common base opposite the plastic carrier; (a 3) a separate plug cover coupled to the first common base; and (a 1) a first common base; (a 2) a plurality of plug contact assemblies comprising a plurality of plug contacts (59, 61) molded to a plastic carrier, mounted in the first common base within the plug assembly, each plug contact (59, 61) comprising an end which is secured to one of a plurality of fusible elements adjacent to the common base opposite the plastic carrier; (a 3) a separate plug cover coupled to the first common base; and (b) a modular receptacle assembly that mates with the plug assembly, comprising: (b 1) a second common base; (b 2) a plurality of receptacle contact assemblies comprising a plurality of receptacle contacts (84, 86) molded to a plastic carrier, mounted in the second common base within the receptacle assembly, each receptacle contact (84, 86) comprising an end which is secured to one of a plurality of fusible elements adjacent to the common base opposite the plastic carrier; (b 3) a separate receptacle cover that is coupled to the second common base, and that mates with the plug cover; wherein the first common base and the second common base are identical and interchangeable. (b 1) a second common base; (b 2) a plurality of receptacle contact assemblies comprising a plurality of receptacle contacts (84, 86) molded to a plastic carrier, mounted in the second common base within the receptacle assembly, each receptacle contact (84, 86) comprising an end which is secured to one of a plurality of fusible elements adjacent to the common base opposite the plastic carrier; (b 3) a separate receptacle cover that is coupled to the second common base, and that mates with the plug cover; wherein the first common base and the second common base are identical and interchangeable.