Abstract: A wiring assembly for mounting on an exposed surface of a wall or wall panel to supply electrical power to the wall or wall panel. The wiring assembly includes a plurality of conductive bus bars and an insulating support having a base and a plurality of generally parallel dividers extending upwardly from the base to define a plurality of slots therebetween. Each slot is configured to receive a conductive bus bar therein. The support is coupled to said exposed surface. The assembly also includes at least one cover and at least one outlet coupled to the support. The at least one cover and the at least one outlet are situated over the plurality of dividers to shield the plurality of conductive bus bars situated in the plurality of slots. The at least one cover and the at least one outlet are adjacent one another on the support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a source of alternating current electrical power to a plurality of loads in an office environment, including a plurality of non-linear loads which draw power for only a portion of the alternating current cycle, includes an input source of electrical power to a primary side of a power transforming device which provides an output at its secondary side which comprises at least two phases and a shared neutral. The plurality of loads are evenly distributed between each phase of the output power source and the shared neutral so as to reduce by current cancellation the current which would otherwise flow in the shared neutral conductor due to the presence of the non-linear loads. In one embodiment, each of six output phase is separated from the other by 120 electrical degrees, and the fourth, fifth and sixth phases are separated from the first, second and third phases, respectively, by 180 electrical degrees.

Abstract: A wiring harness assembly includes a conductor carrying channel having a first end and a second end. A first socket is electrically coupled to the first end of the conductor carrying channel. A connector assembly is coupled to the second end of the conductor carrying channel. The connector assembly includes a body portion, a second socket coupled to the body portion and extending a first predetermined distance longitudinally outwardly from the body portion, and a third socket coupled to the body portion and extending a second predetermined distance, longer than the first predetermined distance, longitudinally outwardly from the body portion. The second and third sockets are configured to mate with a first socket coupled to a separate wiring harness assembly adjacent the second end of the conductor carrying channel to couple the two adjacent wiring harnesses electrically. The separate wiring harness assembly may be located in an adjacent wall panel.

Abstract: A lampholder for receiving one end of a fluorescent lamp and the associated pair of electrical contact pins is disclosed. The lampholder has a base member with slots for receiving the fluorescent lamp pins and a contact or terminal carrying plunger is disposed within the base member so as to be unilaterally movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The base member includes a pair of lead wire accepting openings remote from the pin receiving slots and the electrical contacts each include a lead wire accepting aperture. The apertures are in alignment with the openings only when the plunger is in the extended position. The lead wires fit snugly in the openings so that any subsequent flexing of the a lead wire occurs away from the region of contact between the wire and its corresponding terminal. When a lead wire is passed through an opening and corresponding aperture and the plunger is moved from the extended to the retracted position, the wire is deformed and securely gripped.

Abstract: A wiring arrangement for providing communication channels to a plurality of workstations includes multiple communication connector having respectively n terminals at each of the plurality of workstations. A plurality of modular wiring assemblies are serially arranged between the workstations. Each wiring assembly comprises first and second connectors, each having m terminals, connected by wires in permutated fashion such that the m.sup.th terminal of the first connector is connected to the m.sup.th +i terminal of the second connector, where i is a positive or negative integer. The first connector of each assembly matingly engages the second connector of an adjacent assembly at each workstation. Terminals of the communication connectors are connected to selected terminals of the first and second connectors so as to provide voice and data communications to each workstation.

Abstract: A prewired electrical distribution system of the type which may be fixed to and extend along a surface such as wall for distributing electrical energy is disclosed. The system employs relatively rigid conductor carrying members of various lengths interconnected by substantially identical relatively rigid couplers and may be easily and quickly assembled. Each of the relatively rigid conductor carrying members includes an elongated channel of relatively uniform cross-section throughout its extent with that channel being longitudinally divided into at least two separate raceways, one for receiving power carrying conductors and the other for receiving communication wiring. The channel is formed from two joinable, typically extruded plastic members, and one metal formed member adapted to be fastened, as by screws, to a wall or other surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a source of alternating current electrical power to a plurality of loads in an office environment, including a plurality of non-linear loads which draw power for only a portion of the alternating current cycle, includes an input source of three-phase electrical power to a primary side of a power transforming device which provides an output at its secondary side which comprises at least six phases and a shared neutral. The plurality of loads are evenly distributed between each phase of the output power source and the shared neutral so as to reduce by current cancellation the current which would otherwise flow in the shared neutral conductor due to the presence of the non-linear loads. Each of the six phases is separated from the other by 120 electrical degrees, and the fourth, fifth and sixth phases are separated from the first, second and third phases, respectively, by 180 electrical degrees.

Abstract: A prewired electrical distribution member of the type utilized along movable partitions or similar modular furniture near the bottom edges thereof for distributing electrical energy and having like connectors at opposite ends thereof for connection to like member of an adjacent member is disclosed. Each member includes an elongated rigid central portion having a connector for receiving at least one electrical outlet centrally located therealong and flexible end portions permanently attached thereto. The flexible end portions enclose a plurality of conductors arranged in generally single file vertical alignment and have the connectors permanently fixed to their respective free ends. The connectors have both end and side terminal openings and are uniquely adapted to engage one another in any of an end to end, side to side, or end to side manner for effecting connections at corners.

Abstract: A two part wire receptacle for receiving wire being laid therein by a flier in a coiled pattern is disclosed. The first part is permanent wire receiving basket has a relatively flat surface with a plurality of upstanding inner wire guide elements defining the inner periphery of the coil and a further plurality of upstanding outer wire guides defining the outer periphery of the coil. Another form of the first part may be embodied in a machine for receiving and packaging wire being laid therein in a coiled pattern. In the machine, a permanent wire receiving basket has a relatively flat surface, a plurality of upstanding inner wire guide elements defining the inner periphery of the coil, and an upstanding generally cylindrical outer wire guide defining the outer periphery of the coil.