A lead frame assembly is disclosed in which holes may be formed in
contacts of the assembly and a dielectric material extends along a length
of the contact. The dielectric material may be further secured to the
contact by filling the hole. The dielectric material may span across two
or more contacts of the lead frame assembly and also across gaps formed
between the contacts, or may span across an entire side of a lead frame
assembly. The dielectric material may add mechanical strength and
robustness to the lead frame assembly while helping to reduce dust
accumulation on electrical contacts of the assembly. The dielectric
material may abut only one side of one or more contacts in the lead frame
assembly and thus may not affect edge-coupling effect of contacts that
form differential signal pairs.