A surgical instrument comprising: (a) a body comprising a power source ; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body; (c) an end effector , wherein the end effector comprises: (i) a channel assembly , and (ii) a cartridge assembly configured to selectively couple with the channel assembly , wherein the cartridge assembly comprises an electrically activated component ; and (d) an electrical contact assembly configured electrically couple the power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly , wherein the electrical contact assembly comprises: (i) a first electrical contact associated with the channel assembly , (ii) a second electrical contact associated with the cartridge assembly , and (iii) an insulating membrane associated with either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact , wherein the insulating membrane is configured to transition between a closed position and an opened position, wherein either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact is configured to transition the insulating membrane to the opened position when the cartridge assembly is coupled to the channel assembly and wherein the insulating membrane defines an occluded opening configured to transition between the closed position and the opened position. (a) a body comprising a power source ; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body; (c) an end effector , wherein the end effector comprises: (i) a channel assembly , and (ii) a cartridge assembly configured to selectively couple with the channel assembly , wherein the cartridge assembly comprises an electrically activated component ; and (i) a channel assembly , and (ii) a cartridge assembly configured to selectively couple with the channel assembly , wherein the cartridge assembly comprises an electrically activated component ; and (d) an electrical contact assembly configured electrically couple the power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly , wherein the electrical contact assembly comprises: (i) a first electrical contact associated with the channel assembly , (ii) a second electrical contact associated with the cartridge assembly , and (iii) an insulating membrane associated with either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact , wherein the insulating membrane is configured to transition between a closed position and an opened position, wherein either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact is configured to transition the insulating membrane to the opened position when the cartridge assembly is coupled to the channel assembly and wherein the insulating membrane defines an occluded opening configured to transition between the closed position and the opened position. (i) a first electrical contact associated with the channel assembly , (ii) a second electrical contact associated with the cartridge assembly , and (iii) an insulating membrane associated with either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact , wherein the insulating membrane is configured to transition between a closed position and an opened position, wherein either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact is configured to transition the insulating membrane to the opened position when the cartridge assembly is coupled to the channel assembly and wherein the insulating membrane defines an occluded opening configured to transition between the closed position and the opened position. <EOS>