Importance

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Abstract

An electrical connector has male and female housings 10, 30 having terminal retainers 20, 40 and retainer insertion holes 16, 36. To prevent creep of moisture by surface tension effects through the clearance between the terminal retainers 20, 40 and the retainer fitting holes 16, 36, the retainer is formed with a C-shaped recess 23, 43, and the retainer and hole are formed with matching cranked portions 19, 24, 39, 44. A central drain channel 15, 35 runs through the center of each housing 10, 30 and is sealed by means of mutually fitting tapered faces 26A, 46A. Overhanging hoods 14a, 14d shield the mating faces and rear ends of the connector housings. Mating terminal chambers 11, 31 also have tapered sealing faces 28, 48. A peripheral rib 45 on one housing 30 fits into a groove 25 on the housing with a long narrow clearance to prevent moisture creep. Drain channels 15, 35 engage one another at tapered mating faces 26A, 36A. The terminal retainer 20, 40 moisture creep prevention features are designed to direct the moisture into the drain channels 15, 35. A rear hood is also used to shield the open rear ends of the terminal apertures.

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First Claim