Patent ID: 7131850

Claim:
A socket for a microelectronic component, comprising: a socket body having a formation for receiving the microelectronic component and including at least a power metal portion, a ground metal portion and a dielectric portion; a plurality of contacts on the socket body for making contact with corresponding lands of the microelectronic component; a plurality of terminals on the socket body for connecting to corresponding connections on a carrier substrate; a plurality of interconnection elements in the socket body, each interconnecting a respective contact with a respective terminal; and a respective protrusion on each respective interconnection element, the each interconnection element and the respective protrusion being inserted into an opening in the socket body until the protrusion is in contact with either the power metal portion, the ground metal portion, or the dielectric portion, a power set of the interconnection elements electrically connected to the metal power portion, a ground set of the interconnection elements all being electrically connected to the ground metal portion, and a signal set of the interconnection elements each being electrically disconnected from both the power metal portion and the ground metal portion.