Patent ID: 7906957

Claim:
An electrical connector, for joining a first cable to a second cable, and adapted for staged disassembly to test for the presence of voltage comprising: a socket, characterized by an insulative protective socket case with a socket opening on one side exposing an electrically conductive socket terminal, enclosed therein, in electrical communication with the first cable; a plug, characterized by an insulative protective plug case, with a plug end on one side exposing an electrically conductive plug terminal enclosed therein, in electrical communication with the second cable; wherein, the socket case and plug case are configured with the respective socket opening and plug end facing each other to allow the socket and plug to mate for such electrical communication between the terminals; wherein, a probe hole is defined through at least one of the socket case and the plug case; wherein the connector is configured to enable engagement of the plug and socket in a sealed position in which the socket case and plug case are sufficiently fully mated for such electrical communication, and the socket terminal and plug terminal are in such electrical communication, and the probe hole is obstructed preventing access to the sufficiently mated terminals; and wherein the connector is configured to enable engagement of the plug and socket in a probe position in which the socket case and plug case are sufficiently partially mated for such electrical communication, and the probe hole is sufficiently unobstructed to allow a probe tool to come into electrical communication with one of said socket and plug terminals.