An electrical connector assembly for terminating first and second
electrical wires, the electrical connector assembly comprising a housing
including a compartment for receiving first and second IDC elements and a
cap movably mounted to the housing to cover the compartment. The cap is
movable between an open position and a closed position. The cap includes
a general body portion, a wire retention portion, and a latching
mechanism. The wire retention portion includes first and second wire
holders to retain and align the respective electrical wires within the
housing for engagement with a gripping portion of the respective IDC
element when the cap is placed in a closed position. The gripping force
of the wire holders is less than a gripping force of the IDC elements.
The latching mechanism can releasably fasten the cap to the housing when
the cap is placed in a closed position. When the cap is returned to an
open position after the cap was placed in the closed position, the first
and second wires are retained by the first and second IDC elements and
the first and second wire holders disengage the first and second wires
from the cap.