Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is an interconnection system including a primary connector having a first detection contact coupled to a first voltage, a second detection contact coupled to said first voltage and a reference contact coupled to a second voltage. The interconnection system includes a secondary connector having a first contact, a second contact and a secondary reference contact. The second contact and secondary reference contact are electrically connected. The first contact makes electrical connection with the first detection contact, the second contact makes electrical connection with the second detection contact and the secondary reference contact makes electrical connection with the reference contact. When the second detection contact makes electrical connection with the second contact, the second detection contact is connected to the second voltage.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a controller for use in an interconnection system having a primary connector and a variable number of secondary connectors. The primary connector includes a first detection contact and a second detection contact. The controller includes a first detection port connected to the first detection contact and a second detection port connected to the second detection contact. The controller also includes a processor for monitoring a first signal at the first detection port and a second signal at the second detection port and determining a number of secondary connectors in response to the first signal and the second signal.