Patent ID: 8419485

Claim:
A bulkhead connector assembly comprising: an outer housing having an internal chamber, the outer housing having a sealing section configured to seal an exterior of the outer housing within an opening; a terminal housing configured to hold a plurality of terminals, the terminal housing being received in the internal chamber, the terminal housing having primary locking mechanisms configured to secure the terminals in the terminal housing; and an independent secondary lock (ISL) separately provided from, and coupled to, the terminal housing, the ISL being configured to secure the terminals in the terminal housing, wherein the ISL is moveable with respect to the terminal housing between a clearance position and a blocking position, the ISL allowing the terminals to be loaded into the terminal housing in the clearance position, the ISL blocking the terminals from removal from the terminal housing in the blocking position, and wherein the ISL must be in the blocking position before the terminal housing is capable of being loaded to a final locked position in the internal chamber.