Abstract: A system is provided for distributing power between connectors in a connector raceway. At least two spaced-apart connectors each include a housing and a plurality of terminals mounted on the housing. A plurality of conductive wires have first ends respectively attached to the terminals and extend from each connector in the connector raceway toward the other connector. A printed circuit board is mounted in the connector raceway between the connectors and includes circuit traces thereon. Second ends of the conductive wires are electrically secured to the circuit traces. Therefore, one connector is electrically coupled to the other connector through the circuit board in the connector raceway.

Abstract: A longitudinal raceway is provided for housing electrical components such as in a space-dividing wall structure or the like. The raceway includes a pair of elongated raceway sections which, when in longitudinal juxtaposition, define a generally closed hollow structure for concealing and protecting the electrical components. A hinge is connected between adjacent longitudinal sides of the raceway sections whereby the sections are movable about the hinge between open and closed positions. Complementary interengaging latches are provided on the opposite longitudinal sides of the raceway sections to hold the sections in the closed position.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided with a dielectric housing having a forward mating end and a rear terminating end. The forward mating end has at least one terminal receiving cavity. A terminal is received in the cavity for connection to a complementary terminal of an appropriate mating connector when the mating connector is coupled to the mating end of the housing. The terminal is terminated to a conductor projecting from the rear terminating end of the housing. The rear end of the housing is provided substantially entirely by a pair of clam-shell members movably mounted on the forward end of the housing for movement between an open condition to allow the terminal easily to be inserted into the cavity and a closed condition securely encapsulating the inserted terminal. Complementary interengaging retaining portions are provided on the terminal and at least one of the clam-shell members for holding the terminal in the cavity when the clam-shell members are in their closed condition.

Abstract: An electrical terminal structure is provided by a pair of hermaphroditic terminals. In one form of the invention, each terminal is bifurcated to define a pair of elongated semi-cylindrical arms of different diameters defining pairs of elongated spaced edges to provide a four-point contact array. In another form of the invention, a pair of hermaphroditic terminals each are trifurcated to define a central semi-cylindrical arm and two outside arms, combining to provide a six-point contact array.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided of the wire-trap type. The connector includes a housing defining an interior cavity with a passage through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor. A pair of openings are provided in the housing for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires. A generally U-shaped terminal is disposed in the cavity of the housing and includes a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion. The leg portions have wire-trapping distal ends in registry with the openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings. The bight portion has a terminating section in registry with the passage for termination to the in-line conductor.

Abstract: This specification discloses an electrically conductive raceway as used in an prefabricated interior wall panel system with a means for electrically connecting a ground wire directly to a portion of the raceway without the need for separate clips or terminals and the method and apparatus for making same.

Abstract: A wiring harness is disclosed for deploying electrical wires along a wall such as in a modular wall panel system for separating work areas. The wall has an elongate compartment defining a raceway for housing the wires. A first power block is positioned in the raceway at a first location and includes a given number of wires extending therefrom into the raceway. A second power block is positioned in the raceway at a second location longitudinally spaced from the first power block. The second power block has a different number of wires extending therefrom into the raceway toward the first power block. Splicing connectors electrically couple at least some of the wires between the two power blocks.