Safety module electrical distribution system
View Patent ↗A safety module electrical distribution system comprises a wiring module adapted to mount within an electrical box, the wiring module having a functional side and a wiring side. A terminal set is disposed at least partially within the wiring module and is adapted to terminate a power cable proximate the wiring side. A plurality of structured sockets are disposed on the functional side, the structured sockets incorporate a portion of the terminal set. A functional module having a front side and a back side is adapted to removably install in the wiring module proximate the functional side. A contact set is disposed at least partially within the functional module and is adapted to conduct electrical power to an electrical distribution function accessible from the front side. A plurality of shielded plugs are disposed on the back side. The shielded plugs incorporate a portion of the contact set. The structured sockets are configured to interlock with the shielded plugs so as to provide electrical communication between the terminal set and said contact set.
1. An electrical distribution system comprising:
a wiring module adapted to mount within an electrical box, said wiring module having a functional side and a wiring side;
a terminal set disposed at least partially within said wiring module and adapted to terminate a power cable proximate said wiring side;
a plurality of structured sockets disposed on said functional side, said structured sockets incorporating a portion of said terminal set;
a functional module adapted to removably install in said wiring module proximate said functional side, said functional module having a front side and a back side;
a contact set disposed at least partially within said functional module and adapted to conduct electrical power to an electrical distribution function accessible from said front side; and
a plurality of shielded plugs disposed on said back side, said shielded plugs incorporating a portion of said contact set,
wherein said structured sockets are configured to interlock with said shielded plugs so as to provide electrical communication between said terminal set and said contact set and wherein said structured sockets comprise raised guards and surrounding channels.
2. The electrical distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said shielded plugs comprise continguous walls disposed around the peripheries of, and extending about the length of, prong portions of said contact set, said walls defining open ends distal said back side.
3. The electrical distribution system according to claim 2 wherein said walls mate with said channels and said raised guards insert into said open ends.
4. The electrical distribution system according to claim 3 further comprising:
a key extending from, and positioned on, said back side so as to identify a type of said functional module; and
a block positioned on said functional side so as to accept said key only when said functional module is properly oriented with respect to said wiring module,
wherein said wiring module is oriented within said electrical box according to said type.
5. The electrical distribution system according to claim 4 wherein said key is an off-center positioned bar and said block is an off-center positioned ground socket, said bar being configured to insert into said ground socket.
6. The electrical distribution system according to claim 1 further comprising:
a plurality of color-coded wiring labels disposed on said functional side; and
a color-coded module label disposed on said functional module,
wherein a marked one of said wiring labels indicates a particular wiring configuration of said wiring panel,
the color of said marked one corresponding to the color of said module label only if said functional module corresponds to said particular wiring configuration.
7. The electrical distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said terminal set comprises a plurality of terminal blocks, each of said terminal blocks adapted to terminate up to four wires.
8. The electrical distribution system according to claim 7 further comprising a terminal shield fastened to said wiring side so as to separate said terminal blocks from an external ground wire.
9. The electrical distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said terminal set comprises a plurality of fixed wires extending from said wiring side, each of said fixed wires having a push-wire connector installed distal said wiring side.
10. The electrical distribution system according to claim 1 further comprising an electrical box cover adapted to clamp onto a mounting bracket portion of said wiring module so as to mount flush with the open face of said electrical box.