PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD SOCKET

PCT No. PCT/AU95/00301 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 25, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 25, 1996 PCT Filed May 25, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/32605 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 30, 1995An electrical socket is formed in a printed circuit board (PCR) using standard automated PCB production techniques. The socket (20) comprises a respective three legged slotted aperture (22) for each pin (11) of a male plug. The slotted aperture (22) defines two cantilevered portions (23) which receive a respective pin (11) in A slot defined therebetween. The slot is of slightly narrower width than the corresponding pin (11), but the cantilevered portions (23) are resiliently movable to enable the slot to receive and frictionally retain the pin therein. Plated contact surfaces are formed on either side of the slot to make physical and electrical contact with the pin. A modified socket (40) includes an integrally formed isolation switch. The cantilevered portions (41) extend beyond the point where the pin (11) is inserted therebetween. The distal ends of the cantilevered portions (41) are provided with respective contact surfaces (43, 44) which are normally spaced apart, but come into contact to close the switch when the cantilevered portions (41) are splayed apart by the insertion of a pin therebetween. Alternatively, contacts (32) on the cantilevered portions may be arranged to come into contact with corresponding contacts (33) on the circuit board.