Patent ID: 6179644
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A network for transmitting electrical power and data between a plurality of device nodes, the network comprising:a conductor cable including only a pair of power conductors and a pair of signal conductors disposed between the power conductors within an insulative cover; wherein first and second signal conductors are disposed transversely within a cover at locations between first and second power conductors and are shielded from electromagnetic disturbances by the power conductors when the cable is placed in the network and power applied to the power conductors; anda plurality of node connectors, each node connector including a base module coupled to the cable power and signal conductors via contact portions that pierce through the insulative cover, the base modules remaining resident on the cable following coupling with the cable conductors, and each node connector farther including an interface module secured to the base module and electrically coupled to the cable conductors through the base module and removably secured to the base module and removable without interrupting contact with the cable conductors within the base module, each interface module being configured to supply power and data from the cable conductors via the base module to a node device.