Shielded ribbon coax cable assembly

Abstract

A ribbon coax cable termination comprises a ribbon coax cable including a plurality of center conductors with each center conductor surrounded by dielectric sheathing, drain conductors extending along each dielectric sheathing, metal foil encircling each dielectric sheathing and drain conductor associated therewith thereby defining coaxial conductor members and a dielectric jacket covering the coaxial conductor members and maintaining them insulated from each other and coplanar. Electrical connectors include insulating housing having electrical contacts therein which contain conductor-receiving sections in which exposed ends of the center conductors and the drain conductors are electrically connected. Elastomeric material extends along the section of the insulating housing containing the conductor-receiving sections and covering the conductor-receiving sections with the exposed ends of the center and drain conductors therein and an adjacent section of the ribbon coax cable. Cover members are secured to the insulating housing along the elastomeric material and to each other, the elastomeric material absorbing stresses to the cable to maintain the center conductors and drain conductors of the cable at the connections with the conductor-receiving sections in position. According to another aspect of the present invention, the ribbon coax cable is in pairs which are encased in a protective sheath including braided-metal strain member having a dielectric jacket thereover, the ends of the protective sheath being secured in metal housing members that are secured onto the connector housing.