An electronic package (4, 104) mounted on a tape carrier (2, 102)has a plurality of leads (6, 106) extending across an aperture (8, 108) in the tape carrier. A socket for the electronic package includes a cover (14, 114) having a tape mounting surface (44, 144, 148) for receiving the tape carrier in a controlled position thereagainst. A plurality of ribs (30, 130) protruding from the tape mounting surface are arranged so as to extend through the aperture (8, 108), and adjacent pairs of the ribs are arranged to straddle respective ones of the leads (6, 106) when the tape carrier is in the controlled position. A housing (12, 112) mateable with the cover holds a plurality of contacts (20, 120) engageable with the plurality of leads. As the cover is mated with the housing, the leads are straddled and guided by the adjacent pairs of ribs into engagement with their respective leads.