Apparatus and methods for preventing cable-discharge damage to electronic equipment

Abstract

A connector assembly for protecting against cable discharge with respect to static charges that may accumulate on cables and other conductors. The connector assembly comprises a modular plug that mates with a modular jack. The modular jack comprises a plurality of resilient contacts that connect to rigid contacts on the modular plug when the plug and jack mate. The modular jack also supports a grounding conductor such that the jack contacts connect to ground when the jack and plug are unmated. As the plug and jack begin to mate, the jack contacts connect a ground potential to the plug contacts, thereby discharging to ground any static charge that may be stored on the cable. As the jack and plug continue to mate, the plug contacts disconnect the jack contacts from the grounding conductor. When the jack fully mates with the plug, cable conductors connect to an electronic circuit via the jack and plug contacts. The grounded contacts of a jack will steadily prevent charges from accumulating on cables or other conductors connected to the jack as long as the jack remains unmated. In a first embodiment, an electromagnetic shield, which connects the grounding conductor to a ground potential, covers the jack body. In a second embodiment, each of a plurality of grounding conductors connects to a different jack contact.