Insulation piercing connectors and methods and connections including same

An electrical connector (100) for mechanically and electrically connecting first (12) and second (14) cables, each including an elongate electrical conductor (12A, 14A) covered by an insulation layer (12B, 14b), includes a connector body (110), an electrically conductive first insulation piercing feature (151, 153) on the connector body (110), an electrically conductive second insulation piercing feature (154, 155) on the connector body and electrically connected to the first insulation piercing feature (151, 153), and a compression mechanism (170). The first insulation piercing feature (151, 153) is configured to pierce through the first insulation layer (12B) and electrically engage the first electrical conductor (12A). The second insulation piercing feature (154, 155) is configured to pierce through the second insulation layer (14B) and electrically engage the second electrical conductor (14B). The compression mechanism (170) is configured and operable to apply a clamping load along a clamping axis (A-A) extending through both of the first and second electrical conductors (12A, 14A) to force the first (151,153) and second (154, 155) insulation piercing features into electrical engagement with the first (12A) and second (14A) electrical conductors, respectively.