Patent ID: 7726982

Claim:
An electrical connector system for mounting on a substrate comprising: a first electrical connector comprising a first power contact and a first electrically insulative housing that receives the first power contact, wherein: a first aperture is formed in the first housing; the first aperture is aligned with a mating portion of the first power contact whereby air heated by the first power contact can exit the first power contact by way of the first aperture; a first recess is formed in the first housing; the first recess is positioned to face the substrate so that the first recess and the substrate define a first passage extending from a side portion of the first housing when the first electrical connector is mounted on the substrate; and a portion of the first power contact extends through the first recess; whereby air from the environment around the first electrical connector can pass between the first housing and substrate and over the first power contact when the first electrical connector is mounted on the substrate; a second electrical connector that mates with the first electrical connector, the second electrical connector comprising a second power contact and a second electrically insulative housing that receives the second power contact, wherein a second aperture is formed in the second housing, the second aperture is aligned with a mating portion of the second power contact whereby air heated by the second power contact can exit the second power contact by way of the second aperture; a second recess is formed in the second housing; wherein the first recess, the first aperture, the second recess and the second aperture are interconnected when the first and second electrical connectors are mated; and a third power contact, wherein (i) the first and third power contacts each comprises a tab, (ii) the first housing comprises a first and a second cavity formed therein that receive the respective first and third power contacts, and (iii) the tab of the first power contact interferedly contacts the first housing when the first power contact is partially inserted into the second cavity thereby preventing installation of the first power contact in the second cavity, and the tab of the third power contact interferedly contacts the first housing when the third power contact is partially inserted into the first cavity thereby preventing installation of the third power contact in the first cavity.