Patent ID: 8585423

Claim:
A connector for use underwater or in a wet or severe environment, comprising first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged to establish an electrical connection, the first connector part having at least one pin, and the second connector part having at least one electrical contact for engagement by the pin when the connector parts are interengaged, the pin comprising an axially extending electrically conductive portion and an axially extending electrically insulating sleeve around said conductive portion, and the pin being supported by and projecting axially forwardly from a support whereby its insulating sleeve is exposed along a longitudinally extending portion thereof to ambient conditions when the connector parts are disengaged, and the first connector part having protective means to protect a portion of the insulating sleeve forwardly of and adjacent to the support at least when the connector parts are disengaged, wherein the protected portion of the insulating sleeve is protected by sealing means which engages the pin to prevent exposure of said protected portion of the insulating sleeve to ambient conditions, and wherein an insulating medium is disposed rearwardly of the sealing means.