Patent Publication Number: US-2022239045-A1

Title: Modular electrical system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application in a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/884,690, filed May 27, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application, Ser. No. 62/853,461, filed May 28, 2019, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to electrical wiring extensions and, more particularly, to electrical wiring extensions for use in exposed areas such as along floor surfaces or along work surfaces. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Extension cords are commonly used for temporarily routing electricity or electrical signals from a power or data source to a different area or location, such as in a home or office building. When extension cords are laid across flooring or walking areas, floor runners in the form of protective covers are sometimes used to temporarily house the extension cord in an effort to reduce tripping hazards. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A modular electrical system facilitates the convenient routing of electrical power and/or data from one area to another within a work area, such as along work surfaces and/or along floor surfaces. A user may select a desired number of outlet assemblies and select a desired number of jumpers and junctions in order to provide the desired number and location of outlet assemblies in a work area. Different connectors may be compatible with one another so that jumpers may be exchanged for outlet assemblies and vice versa, and junctions may be added as desired to extend along greater distances or to provide a greater number of outlet assemblies in a given area. 
     In one form, a modular electrical system includes an electrical power infeed, an electrical distribution assembly, a power or data unit, and a power jumper cable. The electrical power infeed includes an electrical input plug and a first electrical output connector. The electrical distribution assembly includes a first electrical input connector for receiving the first electrical output connector, an electrical output assembly, and a plurality of electrical conductors extending between the first electrical input connector and the electrical output assembly. The electrical output assembly includes at least one branch output connector and a first jumper output connector. The power or data unit includes a branch plug connector for engaging the branch output connector, an electrical power or data receptacle for supplying power or data to an electrical or electronic device, and a flexible branch extension wire that extends from the branch plug connector to the electrical power or data receptacle. The power jumper cable includes a jumper input connector for connection to the first jumper output connector, and a second jumper output connector. 
     In another form, the present invention provides a modular electrical floor runner that can be assembled from pieces to a desired length, which incorporates electrical wiring internally (such as for power and/or data) and power or data outlets at spaced intervals along the length of the runner. The floor runner may be assembled from modular runs and junction pieces to achieve a desired length, configuration (shape), and number of outlets for a desired application. The floor runner may include a customizable power/data outlet housing that facilitates use of a desired number or type (or combination) of power and/or data outlets. The floor runner typically includes a low-profile extrusion that is substantially rigid to resist damage or lifting from a floor surface, and can be used as a permanent or semi-permanent wiring extension device, such as for use in reconfigurable office spaces. 
     These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a right side elevation of an electrical distribution system in accordance with the present invention, in the form of a modular floor runner assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the modular floor runner assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged right side elevation of a first module of the floor runner assembly that is designated III in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged right side elevation of a module of the floor runner assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view of the third module, taken along Section V-V in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a right side elevation of a series of connected floor runner modules of another modular floor runner assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the floor runner modules of  FIG. 6 , and including a power infeed cord; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged sectional view of a floor runner module, taken along Section VIII-VIII in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a right side elevation of a junction piece of one of the floor runner modules of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the junction piece of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an end elevation of the junction piece of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are side elevations of two power outlet branches that are compatible for use with the floor runner modules of  FIGS. 1 and 6 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation of a jumper wire assembly compatible for use with the floor runner modules of  FIGS. 1 and 6 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of a connector and branch output assembly at the area designated XV in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an end elevation of the connector and branch output assembly of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevation of another jumper wire assembly compatible for use with the floor runner modules of  FIGS. 1 and 6 , including a branch output assembly along its midsection; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged view of the midsection branch output assembly at the area designated XVIII in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded bottom plan view of another electrical distribution system and four table surfaces; 
         FIG. 20  is a plan view of a jumper wire assembly of the electrical distribution system of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is an elevation view of a power outlet branch of the electrical distribution system of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a bottom perspective view of another electrical distribution system in accordance with the present invention, shown coupled to the underside of a table surface; 
         FIG. 22A  is an enlarged view of the area designated ‘A’ in  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a bottom plan view of the electrical distribution system of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is an elevation view of a four-way junction coupled to an electrical power infeed, and three jumper wire assemblies, of the electrical distribution system of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 25  is an elevation view of a four-way junction coupled to an electrical power infeed, one jumper wire assembly, and two power outlet branches, of the electrical distribution system of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIGS. 26A-26C  are elevation views of different combinations of four-way junctions, jumper wire assemblies, and power outlet branches forming electrical distribution systems similar to those of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIGS. 27A and 27B  are elevation views of electrical distribution systems in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 28A and 28B  are perspective views of electrical junction blocks of the electrical distribution systems of  FIGS. 27A and 27B ; 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a power outlet branch of the electrical distribution systems of  FIGS. 27A and 27B ; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of an electrical power infeed of the electrical distribution systems of  FIGS. 27A and 27B ; and 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a jumper wire assembly of the electrical distribution systems of  FIGS. 27A and 27B . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings and the illustrated embodiments depicted therein, an electrical distribution system in the form of a modular electrical floor runner assembly  10  is provided for routing electrical wiring, such as power and/or data wiring, to a location where power and/or data outlets are desired ( FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 ). The modular floor runner assembly  10  is assembled from a first or upstream floor runner module  12  that includes an electrical power infeed  14  at its upstream end  12   a , one or more downstream floor runner modules  16 , and one or more junction modules  18  that are interposed between adjacent floor runner modules  12 ,  16 . By assembling a desired number of downstream floor runner modules  16  with an appropriate corresponding number of junction modules  18 , a user may configure the assembly  10  to reach any desired location within a work area and provide electrical power and/or electronic data in one or more desired locations within the work area. The electrical capacity of wiring and connectors disposed along the floor runner modules  12 ,  16  and the junction modules  18  can be made substantially higher than necessary, while a circuit breaker  20  at a power plug  22  of the electrical power infeed  14  ( FIG. 3 ) ensures that electrical loads along the modular electrical floor runner assembly  10  cannot exceed the capacity of a circuit from which the assembly  10  receives power. 
     The first or upstream floor runner module  12  includes a rigid elongate housing  24  having a power infeed coupler  26  at its upstream end  12   a , for connection to the electrical power infeed  14 , such as shown in  FIG. 3 . The upstream floor runner module  12  further includes one of the junction modules  18  coupled at its downstream end  12   b . Each of the downstream floor runner modules  16  also includes a rigid elongate housing  24 , which may be identical to the housing  24  of the first floor runner module  12 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , each downstream floor runner module  16  has an upstream coupler  28  at an upstream end  16   a , and a junction module  18  at a downstream end  16   b , such as shown in  FIG. 4 . The upstream couplers  28  include projections  28   a  that are configured to electrically and mechanically engage a downstream receptacle  29   a  of a downstream coupler  29  so that the downstream floor runner modules  16  may be interchangeable with one another and/or may couple to a junction module  18  or a double-ended (mirror image) junction module  18 ′ ( FIG. 6 ). Each junction module  18  further includes a branch connector or receptacle  44  along an upper surface of the junction module, such as shown in  FIG. 4 . Branch receptacles  44  are configured to be electrically engaged by respective power and/or data units  54 , as will be described below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the rigid elongate housings  24  of the floor runner modules  12 ,  16  define elongate channels  30  that contain and protect a plurality of electrical conductors  32   a - c  disposed in the elongate channel. In the illustrated embodiment, elongate channels  30  are defined below a top central region of the elongate housing  24  and above an elongate U-shaped channel member  34  that is coupled to an underside of the elongate housing&#39;s top central region. Optionally, a plurality of spacers  36  are interposed between the electrical conductors  32   a - c , and between upright sidewalls of the U-shaped channel member and the outboard electrical conductors  32   a ,  32   c  ( FIG. 5 ). Additional circuits may be incorporated into the floor runner modules as desired, such as shown in  FIG. 8  in which four conductors  32   a - d  are incorporated, which include two separate line conductors on separate circuits, in addition to a neutral conductor and a ground conductor. 
     To provide crush-resistance and added rigidity and strength, the elongate housing  24  includes downwardly-extending outboard ends  38  and downwardly-extending intermediate support walls  40  ( FIGS. 5 and 8 ). Elongate housings  24  may be made from extruded or molded aluminum or reinforced polymeric material, for example, or any suitable material that provides strength and crush-resistance. Optionally, a tread pattern may be formed along an upper surface of each elongate housing  24 , which may be positioned within a walking area and directly walked upon or rolled over by persons or equipment in the walking area. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , one double-ended junction module  18 ′ is provided between each adjacent floor runner modules  12 ,  16 , and includes end connectors that are received in corresponding couplers  28 ′ at the adjoining ends of the elongate housings  24 . Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , each double-ended junction module  18 ′ includes an upstream junction connector  42   a  configured to engage a downstream electrical runner connector (not shown) at the downstream end  12   b  of the first floor runner module  12  or at the downstream end  16   b  of any of the downstream floor runner modules  16 . Each double-ended junction module  18 ′ further includes a downstream junction connector  42   b  that is configured to engage an upstream electrical runner connector (not shown) at the upstream end  16   a  of any of the downstream floor runner modules  16 . Each double-ended junction module  18 ′ further includes a branch receptacle  44  along an upper surface of the junction module, with the branch receptacle  44  being in electrical communication with both the upstream and downstream junction connectors  42   a ,  42   b  of that double-ended junction module  18 ′. The upstream connector  42   a  may be engaged by a compatible downstream connector  46  of the electrical power infeed  14  to supply power (or data signals) to the conductors  32   a - c  and the branch receptacles  44  of the modular electrical floor runner assembly  10 . 
     Optionally, the junction modules may be shaped to provide a bend or curve between adjacent floor runner modules. Junction modules can also be formed as blanks in which they act only as a connection interface between adjacent floor runner modules  12 ,  16 , with no branch receptacle  44  provided. It is further envisioned that junction modules could be permanently attached to one floor runner module, so that the junction modules are readily attachable and detachable from only one other floor runner module. 
     Optionally, the upstream junction connector  42   a  is identical to downstream junction connector  42   b  so that the double-ended junction module  18 ′ may be installed in either of two orientations between adjacent floor runner modules, which in turn may also be installed in either of two orientations. That is, although each floor runner module  16  and each junction connector  42  can be said to have an “upstream end” and a “downstream end” when assembled together, the orientations of these components can be rotated 180 degrees without affecting their connectability or function. 
     As noted above, the electrical wiring and various connectors of the modular electrical floor runner assembly  10  may be designed with a high electrical power capacity so that many downstream floor runner modules  16  and junction modules  18  or  18 ′ can be assembled together in a work area without creating capacity problems for the wiring and connectors within the assembly  10 . It will be appreciated that providing many branch receptacles  44  that provide access to electrical power along the assembly  10  will increase the likelihood that users will connect enough electrical power consumers to the assembly  10  so that the electrical power capacity of the circuit(s) supplying power to the assembly  10  will be exceeded. To prevent overloading the circuit(s) supplying power to the assembly  10 , circuit breaker  20  is selected to have an equal power capacity or a lower power capacity than the rest of the assembly  10 . The circuit breaker  20  is associated with at least one prong  48  of the plug  22  and has a capacity selected to disconnect electrical continuity between that prong  48  and a corresponding one of the electrical conductors  32   a - c  in the first floor runner module  12 . Thus, to prevent overload conditions reaching a circuit supplying power to the assembly  10 , the runner modules  12 ,  16  and the junction modules  18  or  18 ′ have a first (higher) rated electrical capacity when they are assembled together, while the circuit breaker  20  has a second rated electrical capacity that is less than or equal to the first rated electrical capacity. 
     The branch receptacles  44  are positioned in respective upper surfaces of the junction modules  18 ,  18 ′ and face upwardly, such as shown in  FIGS. 1-4, 6, 7, and 9-11 . However, it is envisioned that the branch receptacles may be positioned at or along the junction modules&#39; side surfaces, facing laterally or horizontally (e.g., having generally horizontal plug-in directions). These branch receptacles  44  can receive compatible branch plugs  50  at proximal ends  52   a  of flexible branch extensions  52 , such as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . Each flexible branch extension  52  has a distal end  52   b  fitted with a power and/or data unit  54  that may include one or more high conventional voltage AC power outlets  56  (such as 110V AC or 220V AC simplex outlets) and/or one or more conventional low voltage DC power outlets  58  (such as USB power outlets). It is further envisioned that electronic data receptacles and/or wireless power outputs may be mounted in a power and/or data unit. Optionally, one or more additional power and/or data units  54 ′ may be placed along an intermediate region  52   c  of the flexible branch extension  52 . The flexible branch extension  52  typically includes an outer protective casing or jacket made of rubber or similar material, which is optionally covered by flexible metal conduit, a woven fabric covering, or the like, for added protection. Optionally, the flexible branch extension  52  could be routed through rigid metal or plastic conduit. The power and/or data units  54 ,  54 ′ are typically placed or mounted along work surfaces such as tables, desks, shelves, partition walls, or the like, within a work area. Suitable power and/or data units  54 ,  54 ′ are available, for example, from Byrne Electrical Specialists, Inc. of Rockford, Mich. 
     It will be appreciated that, aside from the plug  22  with conventional prongs  48  and the power and/or data units  54 ,  54 ′ with conventional power or data receptacles  56 ,  58 , in the illustrated embodiment every electrical connector along the modular electrical floor runner assembly  10  is an unconventional or proprietary or custom connector that is incompatible with conventional connectors such as standard NEMA plugs and outlets. This selection of custom connectors prevents users in a work area from connecting a standard extension cord or electrical consumer directly to one of the branch receptacles  44 . It may be desirable to prevent the use of conventional or standard extension cords because, as noted above, the assembly  10  is designed to have excess electrical capacity or rating between the power and/or data units  54 ,  54 ′ and the electrical power infeed  14 , with the circuit breaker  20  in the plug  22  being the limiting factor for the capacity of the assembly  10 . Conventional or standard extension cords may have lower electrical capacity than the wiring and connectors specifically designed for the assembly  10 , which would potentially compromise the capacity of the assembly if permitted. 
     Optionally, and with reference to  FIGS. 14-16 , a power in/out jumper cable  60  serves as an electrical distribution assembly, and includes a first connector  62  that is configured for engagement with electrical runner connectors (not shown) at either end  12   a ,  12   b  or  16   a ,  16   b  of the first floor runner module  12  or any of the downstream floor runner modules  16 . The connector interface  62   a  of the first connector  62  may be configured identically to the upstream junction connector  42   a  and downstream junction connector  42   b  of the double-ended junction module  18 ′, although it will be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 14-16 , connector interface  62   a  has a 3-terminal 3-wire configuration, whereas the junction connectors  42   a ,  42   b  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 9 and 10  have a 4-terminal 4-wire configuration. Opposite the first connector  62  is a second connector  64  including a distal end connector interface  64   a  for receiving or conveying power and/or data, and a pair of branch receptacles or connectors  44  extending outwardly from opposite sides of the second connector  64 , such as shown in  FIG. 16 . The power in/out jumper cable  60  can be used to supply power or data into the system  10 , in a similar manner as the electrical power infeed  14  described above, but with connectors  62 ,  64  that are specifically designed to be non-standard, to ensure appropriate electrical compatibility. The power in/out jumper cable  60  can also be used to supply power or data out of the system  10 , in a similar manner as the electrical power infeed  14  described above, but with connectors  62 ,  64  that are specifically designed to be non-standard, to ensure appropriate electrical compatibility and avoid connections to incompatible cords or wiring. 
     A similar power in/out jumper cable  60 ′ can serve as an electrical distribution assembly, including a first connector  62 ′ and a second connector  64 ′ that are configured for engagement with electrical runner connectors (not shown) at either end  12   a ,  12   b  or  16   a ,  16   b  of the first floor runner module  12  or any of the downstream floor runner modules  16 . The power in/out jumper cable  60 ′ includes an intermediate connector  66 , between the first and second connectors  64 ′, that provides one or more branch receptacles or connectors  44  that are compatible with the branch plugs  50  of the flexible branch extensions  52 . The power in/out jumper cables  60 ,  60 ′ can thus function as additional power output points for branch extensions, and may be used to add flexibility to the locations or placement of floor runner modules  12 ,  16  within the modular electrical floor runner assembly  10 . 
     Additional combinations of wiring and connectors may be used to route electrical power along surfaces such as flooring, walls, or underneath tables, desks, countertops, or the like. Referring to  FIG. 19 , another electrical distribution system  110  is configured for providing electrical power and/or electronic data to four table surfaces  170 . The electrical distribution system  110  does not include protective floor runner assemblies, and instead is made up of components configured for being secured to the table surfaces  170 , such as the undersides thereof. An electrical power infeed  14  receives electrical power from plug  22  having a circuit breaker  20 , and directs that power to a second connector  64  having a connector interface  64   a . The power infeed&#39;s connector interface  64   a  is coupled to the compatible connector interface  62   a  of a first connector  62 , which is part of a power in/out jumper cable  60  that includes a second connector  64  having a connector interface  64   a  and a pair of branch receptacles  44  ( FIG. 20 ). The connector interface  64   a  couples to another connector interface  62   a  of a first connector  62  at the end of another power in/out jumper cable  60 , which may serve as another electrical distribution assembly in addition to an extension. A power and/or data unit  54  is electrically coupled to each branch receptacle  44  of the second connector  64  via its branch plug  50  ( FIGS. 19 and 21 ). It will be appreciated that additional sets of power in/out jumper cable  60 ′ and power and/or data unit  54  may be connected until a desired number of power and/or data units  54  have been provided for the desired number of tables  170  or work surfaces. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 22-23 , another electrical distribution system  210  is configured for providing electrical power and/or electronic data to a table surface  170 . The distribution system  210  utilizes an H-shaped electrical splitter connector  280  (best shown in  FIGS. 22A, 24 and 25 ) having a power input receptacle  280   a , and three power output receptacles  280   b - d  that may be configured identically to one another. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 22-23 and 25 , the H-shaped electrical connector&#39;s power input receptacle  280   a  is engaged by the second connector  64 ′ opposite a plug  22  of an electrical power infeed  14 . A power in/out jumper cable  60 ′ includes a first connector  62 ′ for engagement with the first power output receptacle  280   b  and a second connector  64 ′ for engagement with the power input receptacle  280   a  of another H-shaped electrical connector  280 . A second power output receptacle  280   c  and third power output receptacle  280   d  are engaged by respective power connectors  62 ′ associated with flexible branch extensions  52  and power and/or data units  54 , the latter being coupled to an underside of the table surface  170  using brackets  54   a . Thus, the H-shaped electrical connector  280  acts as a splitter by providing power outputs to a desired number of electrical power units  54  and/or to a downstream power in/out jumper cable  60 ′ and subsequent connectors  280  and power units  54  as desired. For example, the first power output receptacle  280   b  of a downstream electrical connector  280  may be left open as shown, or may be used to provide power to a third power unit  54  (not shown). The H-shaped electrical connectors  280  may also be used to direct power to two or three power in/out jumper cables  60 ′, such as shown in  FIG. 24 . Optionally, second connectors  64 ′ are configured for connection to a modular electrical floor runner assembly such as described above, so that power and/or data can be directed along work surfaces and then down along floor surfaces where needed (e.g., through a walking space), and optionally back up to work surfaces at an opposite end of the floor runner assembly. 
     Additional combinations of power and/or data units  54 , H-shaped electrical connectors  280 , and power in/out jumper cables  60 ′ may be assembled together to achieve different numbers of power or data units  54  in different areas. For example,  FIG. 26A  illustrates another electrical distribution system  310  having a single electrical power infeed  14  supplying power to six power units  54  via four H-shaped electrical connectors  280  and three power in/out jumper cables  60 ′. In  FIG. 26B  there is shown another electrical distribution system  410  in which pairs of power units  54  are coupled to each H-shaped electrical connector  280 , which is coupled to a downstream connector  280  by a power in/out jumper cable  60 ′ in series until a fourth connector  280  has its first power output receptacle  280   b  left open. Electrical capacity may be increased by branching groups of power units  54  off of the first H-shaped electrical connector  280 , such as shown in  FIG. 26C  in which another electrical distribution system  510  includes four power units  54  receiving power from the first power output receptacle  280   b , six power units  54  receiving power from the second power output receptacle  280   c , and one power unit  54  receiving power from the third power output receptacle  280   d . Optionally, additional power units may be disposed along a given flexible branch extension  52 , such as in the manner shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     As discussed above, it will be appreciated that different types of connectors may be used to ensure that only compatible electrical components are used in a given electrical distribution system. For example, and with reference to  FIGS. 27A-31 , another electrical distribution system  610  utilizes an electrical power infeed  614  with a power plug  622  for receiving electrical power, and a D-shaped output connector  664  that is received by a D-shaped input connector  662  ( FIGS. 28A and 28B ) of a junction module  618 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 27A and 28A , each junction module  618  has two branch connectors  644  for receiving respective D-shaped branch plugs  650  of a power and/or data unit  654  having an under-surface mounting bracket  654   a , such as also shown in  FIG. 29 . The junction modules  618  further include a D-shaped output connector  666  that may be identical to the D-shaped output connector  664  of electrical power infeed  614 , and thus compatible for receiving the D-shaped plug  650  of a power in/out jumper cable  660  having a D-shaped output connector  664  at its opposite end. Optionally, and as shown in  FIGS. 27B and 28B , another junction module  618 ′ includes four branch connectors  644  so that four power and/or data units  654  may be connected thereto. Optionally, a fifth power unit  654  could be connected to the junction module&#39;s output connector  666  if the connector  666  is the same as the branch connectors  644 . 
     The electrical distribution systems may utilize conventional multi-strand wiring or cabling for high voltage AC and/or low voltage DC electrical power transmission, or for electronic data transmission. It is further envisioned that the electrical distribution systems of the present invention may be implemented with flat wire electrical conductors, such as those disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/191,517, entitled “ELECTRICAL POWER OR DATA DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Therefore, the present invention provides electrical distribution systems that may include modular electrical floor runner systems and/or work surface electrical systems incorporating wiring and electrical and/or electronic or data outlets, such as for use in office areas, industrial or work spaces, homes, or the like. The modular electrical floor runner is generally low-profile and unobtrusive, so that it may be unobtrusively placed along a floor or walking space, or along another support surface. The modular electrical floor runner can be configured to difference lengths and/or shape and/or routing, with limited regard for the order in which floor runner modules and junction modules are placed, or for the total number of floor runner modules and junction modules used. The work surface electrical distribution systems may provide similar functionality as the modular electrical floor runner systems, and may be compatible for use with the modular electrical floor runner systems so that power can be directed to desired areas and/or surfaces within a work area. The system may also be readily reconfigurable in order to accommodate changing needs or configurations within a work area. 
     The floor runner system allows users to provide power to the center of a room that doesn&#39;t already have power access, such as from a wall outlet to a group of tables or workstations. The system connects to power via a cord and either a conventional plug or a proprietary connector, the latter being appropriate especially for multi-circuit systems. The floor runner system can easily be relocated to other areas, and can easily be reconfigured to provide desired number of outlets in desired locations. The modular aspect facilitates the provision of a desired number of access points, substantially without concern for providing excess access points because the electrical capacity of the assembled system will typically be well in excess of the capacity of its circuit breaker. Thus, the system does not require counting, placing floor runner modules in a specific order (due to keying), or other methods of restricting the number of floor runner modules within the system. The modular electrical system can be mounted on top of floor surfaces, as opposed to under carpeting, and can optionally be secured to a floor surface with adhesives, threaded fasteners, or the like. The dimensions and shape configuration of the housings that form the outer portions of each rigid elongate housing allows the system to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
     Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.