A molded grid pair is revealed that will protect vulnerable contact arrays from unwanted distortion while in manufacture or in service. These grids are specifically designed to accompany contact arrays, such as arrays of hermaphroditic contacts. The grid may cover the faces of the contacts that are opposite the faces that engage mating contacts, and may cover tips at the free ends of the contacts. The grid may be molded out of plastic, and may be mechanically coupled to a header body that secures and maintains spacing of the linear contacts, for example with the grid snapping onto a body.