Abstract: The electrically conducting cable for making an electrical connection between consumers and a voltage supply device (13) has a single conductor made of electrically conductive material and a common plug (11) at one end of the single conductor for connection to a common voltage supply device (13). The single conductor is subdivided into respective regions (A,B,C) of different cross-sections, which become progressively smaller in a direction along the single conductor from the plug (11) toward the consumers (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8). Each region is connected to at least one consumer at a branch point at the end of the region, advantageously via an overload-protected semiconductor switch, so that all the consumers are supplied via the single conductor.

Abstract: A two-battery on-board electrical system in a motor vehicle is disclosed, in which an on-board electrical system control unit is disposed between the batteries, and one battery is used primarily to supply the usual consumers while the other is used primarily to supply the starter. The on-board electrical system control unit 16 includes an on-board electrical system module, which performs the requisite reverse switching operations and has one further terminal, by on-board electrical system components required for starting an operation can be supplied with voltage. These on-board electrical system components are supplied at maximum priority, and if the supply battery is too greatly discharged are jointly supplied by both batteries, but it is nevertheless assured that during the starting process the other on-board electrical system components are not connected to the starter battery.