Communication jack connector construction for avoiding damage to contact wires

A communication jack connector includes a wiring board having a front region, and a number of contact wires for engaging and making electrical connections with corresponding terminals of a conforming plug connector. The contact wires have free ends formed to be deflected resiliently in a direction toward the front region of the wiring board when engaging the plug connector. At least one clearance opening is formed in the wiring board at a location where the free end of a corresponding contact wire would otherwise contact an upper surface of the board when deflected by the plug connector. The clearance opening is dimensioned so that part of the free end of the contact wire deflects into the opening a certain distance from the upper surface of wiring board while the contact wire maintains sufficient resilient force to connect electrically with the corresponding terminal of the plug connector.