US Patent 11069995 Single self-insulating contact for wet electrical connector

An electrical connector includes an electrically insulating body and a self-passivating contact held at a higher voltage than a non-passivating contact. The self-passivating contact includes a first electrically conductive material that forms an electrically insulating passivation layer when exposed to water or other aggressive environment. The non-passivating contact includes a second electrically conductive material that is unreactive when exposed to water or other aggressive environment. The passivation layer on the self-passivating contact prevents electric current from flowing between the self-passivating contact and the non-passivating contact through the water or other aggressive environment.