A male connector (100) includes a contact pad substrate (101) and a connector shell (102). The contact pad substrate (101) includes a linear array of contact pads (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d) that are adapted for aligning with corresponding contacts (103′a, 103′b, 103′c, 103′d) of a contact-bearing tongue (104′) of a corresponding female connector (100′) that conforms to a USB Series A receptacle contact pad pitch specification. The two outermost contact pads (103a, 103d) of the linear array are electrically connected together. The connector shell (102) is formed from an insulating material and comprises a tubular portion (102a) for insertion into the corresponding female connector (100′), and a handling portion (102b) for handling during insertion.