Ballast connector for lighting fixture

Abstract

This invention is directed to an electrical connector, particularly an electrical ballast connector, that offers a reliable means preferably to extract electrical conductors therefrom. The connector comprises a dielectric housing having a plurality of cavities therein extending between a contact loading face and a conductor receiving face, where the conductor receiving face includes an aligned row of conductor openings of a like plurality, where each opening includes a lateral slot in communication with the cavities. A stamped electrical contact is provided within each cavity, where said contact includes a base and a pair of spaced apart arms upstanding therefrom, where the inner edge of a first arm is aligned with its corresponding conductor opening, and the other arm includes an angular extension directly downwardly and toward the first arm. The end most edge of the other arm is aligned with and exposed to its corresponding conductor opening, and at least a portion of the angular extension is exposed to its corresponding lateral slot, whereby an extraction member may be received in the lateral slot to laterally flex or pivot the angular extension to provide a free path for the electrical conductor so as to remove the electrical conductor from contact with said inner edge. Finally, antioverstressing means are provided to limit the flexing or pivotal action of the angular extension.