Patent Publication Number: US-2010123048-A1

Title: Cable bus support block and system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/313,199 filed on Nov. 18, 2008 and entitled, “Cable Bus Support Block and System” which is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a cable bus support block and a cable bus system for use in housing and supporting cable such as power cable. More particularly, the present application involves a polymer based cable bus support block that includes a fire retardant, and a cable bus system that includes cable bus support blocks that are marked with identifying indicia to facilitate assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cable bus systems are used to house and route power cable through installations such as industrial plants, offshore facilities, utility plants, electrical arc furnaces, and commercial sites. The cable bus system typically functions to deliver power from a plant&#39;s power source to primary load centers. Cable bus systems can be used both in indoor and outdoor settings and may extend in both straight and curved sections. Further, cable bus system may extend in both horizontal and vertical directions so that the required cable can be routed through complex and tight geometries as needed. 
     The cable bus system includes a cable bus support block that can hold one or more fully jacketed cables therein. The cable bus support block functions to provide strength to the system when short circuits in the lines occur. Multiple cable bus support blocks may be disposed along the length of the cable bus system. In some applications, the cable bus support block may be spaced at two feet or three feet intervals from one another along the length of the cable bus system so that the cable is properly supported. The cable bus support blocks can be bolted to a bus housing that surrounds the spaced cable blocks and the routed cable to protect these components and to provide a structure for attaching the cable bus system to a ceiling, floor or other member at the site. The bus housing may be made of metal such as aluminum or steel and can be ventilated in order to maintain the cable within an appropriate temperature range. 
     The cable bus system is field installed and thus requires an installer to correctly orient and locate the cable bus support blocks along the length of the cable bus system. Due to various sizes and configurations of the cable bus support blocks, the installer may incorrectly assemble the cable bus support blocks at the wrong location in the cable bus system. Further, the cable bus support blocks may not be correctly oriented with respect to one another when they are stacked on top of one another in certain arrangements. These problems result due to the fact that the cable bus support blocks are different in shape and orientation, yet close enough upon first glance to appear to match one another. Installation time is wasted when installing cable bus systems due to the inability of the installer to efficiently match and orient cable bus support blocks to and with one another. As such, there remains room for variation and improvement within the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the appended Figs. in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a cable bus support block in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the cable bus support block of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the cable bus support block of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the cable bus support block of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a left side view of the cable bus support block of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a right side view of the cable bus support block of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is an assembled perspective view of a cable bus system in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a partially exploded assembly view of the cable bus system of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the cable bus support blocks of the cable bus system of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the intermediate cable bus support block of the cable bus system of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of cable bus support blocks in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the cable bus support blocks of  FIG. 11  incorporated into a cable bus system having cables. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of a cable bus system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations. 
     It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5. 
     The present invention provides for a cable bus system  10  for use in routing cable  134 , such as power cable, through industrial plants, offshore platforms, commercial sites, and other applications. The cable bus system  10  may have a cable bus support block  14  that is made out of material that includes polyethylene and fire retardant material. The cable bus support block  14  may include first marking indicia  32  located on its front face  18  in order to match the cable bus support block  14  with a matching cable bus support block  140  that has matching marking indicia  226 . The marking indicia  32  and  226  may also be used to properly orient the cable bus support blocks  14  and  140  with respect to one another to facilitate fast and correct instillation of the cable bus system  10  in the field. The cable bus support block  14  may also include cable receiving features that have rounded edges for use in decreasing wear on cable  134  that is supported by the cable bus system  10 . 
     One exemplary embodiment of a first cable bus support block  14  is shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . The cable bus support block  14  includes a body  16  that has a front face  18  and an oppositely disposed back face  20 . The front and back faces  18  and  20  are generally flat with apertures disposed therethough. In particular, a first horizontal aperture  72  and a second horizontal aperture  74  are disposed through the body  16  and extend from the front face  18  to the back face  20 . The apertures  72  and  74  can receive bolts for use in bolting the cable bus support block  14  to the bus housing  12 . The body  16  has a top face  22  and an oppositely disposed bottom face  24 . A first vertical aperture  64  and a second vertical aperture  68  are disposed through the body  16  and extend from the top face  22  to the bottom face  24 . A press nut  66  is located within the first vertical aperture  64 , and a press nut  70  is located within the second vertical aperture  68 . The bottom face  24  is flat, and the top face  22  has flat portions that are separated by the presence of various cable receiving features  30 ,  44  and  54 . 
     The first cable bus support block  14  defines a first cable receiving feature  30  at the top face  22  of the body  16 . The first cable receiving feature  30  can be variously shaped and configured. For example, as shown, the first cable receiving feature  30  may be in the shape of a cradle. Here, the first cable receiving feature  30  has a curved inner surface that is uniform across its length and width and that defines a semi-circular shaped aperture that is open at its top. However, it is to be understood that the first cable receiving feature  30  may be variously configured in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. For example, the first cable receiving feature  30  may define an aperture that extends through the body  16  that is square shaped and open at its top, or triangular shaped that is open at its top. The first cable receiving feature  30  has a front face edge  36  that is located at the front face  18 . The first cable receiving feature  30  also has a back face edge  38  that is located at the back face  20 . The front face edge  36  and the back face edge  38  may be curved in shape and can have a radius of curvature that is consistent about their entire arc length. A pair of top face edges  40  and  42  extend from the front face  18  to the back face  20 . The top face edges  40  and  42  may engage the front and back face edges  36  and  38 . The top face edges  40  and  42  may be linear in shape. 
     In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments, the front face edge  36  is rounded. In this regard, the front face edge  36  has a radius of curvature that affords a smooth transition between the front face  18  and the top face  22  that is within the first cable receiving feature  30  that is between the top face edges  40  and  42 . The back face edge  38  can also be rounded with a radius of curvature that affords a smooth transition between the back face  20  and the top face  22  that is within the first cable receiving feature  30  that is between the top face edges  40  and  42 . Provision of a rounded front face edge  36  and a back face edge  38  reduces wear on cable  134  that may be received within the first cable receiving feature  30  so that damage to the cable  134  is reduced or eliminated and so that the life of the cable  134  may be increased. The top face edges  40  and  42  may also be rounded in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. Any one of or combination of edges  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  may be rounded in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Further, none of the edges  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  are rounded in accordance with certain embodiments. 
     The body has a side face  26  that is rectangular in shape and an oppositely disposed side face  28  that is also rectangular in shape. The side face  26  includes side marking indicia  34  that can be used to identify the first cable bus support block  14 . The side marking indicia  34  may be used to match the first cable bus support block  14  with a matching cable bus support block when constructing the cable bus system  10 . The side marking indicia  34  may be a color that is painted onto the entire side face  28 . During installation, the user may collect cable bus support blocks that include side marking indicia  34  that are of the same color. These support blocks may thus be match with one another so that the installer knows that they are to be connected to one another in the cable bus system  10 . 
     First marking indicia  32  is located on the front face  18 . The first marking indicia  32  is used to match the first cable bus support block  14  with additional cable bus support blocks when assembling the cable bus system  10 . The first marking indicia  32  can be matched with marking indicia on the front surface of an additional cable bus support block so that the user knows that the two cable bus support blocks are matched to one another during set up. Additionally, the first marking indicia  32  can be used to orient the first cable bus support block  14  with the additional cable bus support block so that the two blocks are properly oriented with one another during installation. 
     The first cable bus support block  14  may have additional cable receiving features  44  and  54  that are located at the top face  22  of the body  16 . The additional cable receiving features  44  and  54  may be used to receive and hold additional cables  136  and  138  in the cable bus system  10 . The additional cable receiving features  44  and  54  may be configured in the same manner as previously discussed with respect to the first cable receiving feature  30 . In this regard, additional cable receiving feature  44  has a front face edge  46 , back face edge  48  and a pair of top face edges  50  and  52 . The front face edge  46  and back face edge  48  may be rounded to prevent damage to cable  136  when contacting the front face edge  46  and the back face edge  48 . Additional cable receiving feature  54  can have a front face edge  56 , back face edge  58 , and a pair of top face edges  60  and  62 . Edges  56  and  58  may be rounded to prevent damage to cable  138  received within the receiving feature  54 . Although shown as being configured in an identical manner, it is to be understood that the cable receiving features  30 ,  44  and  54  may be arranged differently from one another in other exemplary embodiments. 
     The body  16  can be made from a polymer matrix may be selected from a polyolefin, various olefin copolymers, copolymers of olefins with ethylenically unsaturated esters, and mixtures thereof. Examples of such polymers are: ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (d=0.940-0.970 g/cm 3 ), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) (d=0.926-0.940 g/cm 3 ), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (d=0.910-0.926 g/cm 3 ); copolymers of ethylene with .alpha.-olefins containing from 3 to 12 carbon atoms (for example 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene and the like), in particular linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and ultra-low-density polyethylene (ULDPE) (d=0.860-0.910 g/cm 3 ); polypropylene (PP); thermoplastic copolymers of propylene with another olefin, in particular ethylene; copolymers of ethylene with at least one ester chosen from alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates and vinyl carboxylates, in which the linear or branched alkyl group can contain from 1 to 8, preferably from 1 to 4, carbon atoms, while the linear or branched carboxylic group can contain from 2 to 8, preferably from 2 to 5, carbon atoms, in particular ethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers; ethylene/ethyl acrylate (EEA) copolymers, ethylene/butyl acrylate (EBA) copolymers: ethylene/.alpha.-olefin rubbers, in particular ethylene/propylene rubbers (EPR), ethylene/propylene/diene rubbers (EPDM); natural rubber; butyl rubbers; and mixtures thereof. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the polymer matrix for the body  16  is high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that has a density of 0.940-0.970 g/cm 3 . 
     Copolymers that may be included in the body  16  include those which can be obtained by copolymerization of ethylene with at least one .alpha.-olefin containing from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, and optionally with a diene, in the presence of a “single-site” catalyst, in particular a metallocene catalyst or a constrained geometry catalyst. These copolymers are characterized by a density of between 0.860 and 0.904 g/cm 3 , preferably from 0.865 to 0.902 g/cm 3 , and by a composition distribution index greater than 45%. The index may be defined as the percentage by weight of the copolymer molecules having an .alpha.-olefin content of up to 50% of the total average molar content of .alpha.-olefin. These copolymers preferably have the following monomer composition: 75-97 mol %, preferably 90-95 mol %, of ethylene; 3-25 mol %, preferably 5-10 mol %, of .alpha.-olefin; 0-5 mol %, preferably 0-2 mol %, of a diene. The .alpha.-olefin is preferably chosen from propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene and the like. Products of this type are commercially available under the tradenames Engage® from Du Pont-Dow Elastomers having offices at PO Box 6098, Newark, Del., USA and Exact® from Exxon Chemical having offices at 5959 Las Colinas Boulevard, Irving, Tex., USA. 
     Polyolefin blends are also useful as polymer matrices for use in the body  16 . Examples of polymer blends useful for inclusion in the body  16  include blends of HDPE with LDPE, LLDPE, PP, EVA, EEA, EMA, EBA, copolymers containing ethylene monomeric units and terpolymers containing ethylene monomeric units. The amount and type of polymer may be selected to blend with HDPE to provide the desired balance of mechanical properties. 
     Thermoset resins may also be utilized to produce the body  16  in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. Examples of thermosets useful for inclusion in body  16  include: phenolics, epoxies, polyimides, melamine and polyurethanes. Phenolic resins are used in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. Examples of phenolic resins which can be employed include phenolformaldehyde, phenol-acetaldehyde, phenol-furfural, m-cresolformaldehyde and resorcinol-formaldehyde resins. Thermosets can be combined with reinforcing fillers to modify the mechanical properties of the resulting material. Typical fibrous reinforcements that can be employed in the composite of the body  16  are, for example, carbon, graphite, glass, silica, quartz, asbestos and boron fibers. 
     Flame-retardant fillers may also be included in the body  16  and may include halogenated and non-halogenated materials. Examples of non-halogenated flame retardant materials that may be used in the body  16  include hydroxides, hydrated oxides, salts or hydrated salts of metals, in particular of calcium, aluminum or magnesium, such as: magnesium hydroxide, aluminum trihydroxide, hydrated magnesium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, hydrated calcium and magnesium carbonate, calcium and magnesium carbonate, or mixtures thereof. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, magnesium hydroxide is present in the body  16  and is characterized by a decomposition temperature of about 340 degrees C. thus making the body  16  amenable to high temperature extrusion conditions. The flame-retardant filler is generally used in the form of particles which are untreated or surface-treated with saturated or unsaturated fatty acids containing from 8 to 24 carbon atoms, or metal salts thereof, such as, for example: oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, lauric acid; magnesium or zinc stearate or oleate; and the like. In order to increase the compatibility with the polymer matrix, the flame-retardant filler can likewise be surface-treated with suitable coupling agents, for example organic silanes or titanates such as vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyltriacetylsilane, tetraisopropyl titanate, tetra-n-butyl titanate and the like. 
     Exemplary embodiments of halogenated flame-retardants include polybrominated diphenyl ether compounds, including decabromodiphenylether (i.e., decabrom). In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments, a polybrominated flame retardant is combined with a metal synergist. Examples of useful metal synergists that may be present in body  16  include antimony compounds, including antimony trioxide. 
     Other examples of flame retardants that may be included in body  16  include phosphates, red phosphorous, borates and other phosphorous and boron compounds. 
     The amount of flame-retardant filler to be added may be selected so as to obtain a body  16  that is capable of passing the ordinary fire-resistance tests, for example E-84 or UL-94. In general, the amount of flame-retardant filler may be between 10% and 90% by weight, preferably between 30% and 80% by weight, most preferably between 40% and 60% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition of body  16 . 
     A coupling agent capable of improving the dispersion of the flame retardant filler in the polymer matrix may be added to the formulation to improve the flame retardant performance and the mechanical properties of the resulting body  16 . The coupling agent may be, for example: saturated silane compounds or silane compounds containing at least one ethylenic unsaturation; epoxides containing an ethylenic unsaturation; monocarboxylic acids or, dicarboxylic acids having at least one ethylenic unsaturation, or derivatives thereof, in particular anhydrides or esters. 
     Examples of silane compounds that are suitable are: gamma.-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, allyltrimethoxysilane, allyltriethoxysilane, allylmethyldimethoxysilane, allylmethyldiethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, methyltris(2-methoxyethoxy) silane, dimethyldiethoxysilane, vinyltris(2-methoxyethoxy)silane, vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinylmethyldimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, octyltriethoxysilane, isobutyltriethoxysilane, isobutyltrimethoxysilane and the like, or mixtures thereof. 
     Examples of epoxides containing an ethylenic unsaturation are: glycidyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, monoglycidyl ester of itaconic acid, glycidyl ester of maleic acid, vinyl glycidyl ether, allyl glycidyl ether and the like, or mixtures thereof. Monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acids, having at least one ethylenic unsaturation, or derivatives thereof, that can be used as coupling agents are, for example: maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and the like, and anhydrides or esters derived from these, or mixtures thereof. Maleic anhydride is used as a coupling agent in the body  16  in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. 
     The coupling agents can be used as they are or pregrafted onto a polyolefin, for example polyethylene or copolymers of ethylene with an alpha.-olefin, by means of a radical reaction. The amount of coupling agent grafted may be between 0.05 and 5 parts by weight, preferably between 0.1 and 2 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of polyolefin. Polyolefins grafted with maleic anhydride are available as commercial products known, for example, under the brand names Fusabond® from Du Pont; Orevac® from Elf Atochem having offices at 18000 Crosby Eastgate Road, Crosby, Tex., USA; Exxelor® from Exxon Chemical, and Yparex® from DSM having offices at 31 Columbia Nitrogen Road, Augusta, Ga., USA. 
     The amount of coupling agent to be added to the mixture may vary mainly depending on the type of coupling agent used and on the amount of flame-retardant filler added. In general, the coupling agent may be between 0.01% and 5%, preferably between 0.05 and 2%, by weight relative to the total weight of the composition of the body  16 . 
     Other conventional additives such as antioxidants, processing coadjuvants, lubricants, pigments, other fillers and the like can be added to the compositions to impart additional performance to the body  16 . Conventional antioxidants which are suitable for this purpose are, for example: polymerized trimethyldihydroquinoline, 4,4′-thiobis (3-methyl-6-tert-butyl)phenol; pentaerythryl tetra-[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate], 2,2′-thiodiethylene bis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] and the like, or mixtures thereof. 
     Other fillers which may be used in the body  16  include, for example, glass particles, glass fibres, calcined kaolin, talc and the like, or mixtures thereof. Processing co-adjuvants usually added to the polymer base are, for example, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, stearic acid, paraffin wax, silicone rubbers and the like, or mixtures thereof. The flame-retardant compositions may be used in non-crosslinked form in order to obtain a coating with thermoplastic properties which is thus recyclable. 
     The body  16  may be formed by melt processing the polymer matrix, the flame-retardant filler and the other additives which may be present. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the materials making up the body  16  can be prepared by using an internal mixer of the type containing tangential rotors (commonly referred to as a Banbury® mixer) or interlocking rotors, or in continuous mixers such as a Buss® Ko-Kneader or of the co-rotating or counter-rotating twin-screw type. A Banbury® mixer may be obtained from the Farrel Corporation having offices located at 25 Main Street, Ansonia, Conn., USA. A Buss® mixer may be obtained from Buss Compounding Systems having offices at Hohenrainstr 10 CH-4133 Pratteln, Switzerland. Appropriate processing conditions (i.e., temperature, screw speed, output, screw configuration) can be selected to appropriately process the materials and may depend on the polymer matrix, flame retardant filler(s) and additives utilized in the specific formulation. 
     The body  16  may be from 40%-60% of polyethylene and from 40%-60% of flame retardant filler in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. A coupling agent may also be added so that the body  16  is from 39%-59% of polyethylene, 39%-59% of flame retardant filler, and up to 2% of coupling agent in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. In accordance with other versions, the body  16  may be from 30%-70% of polymer, from 30%-70% of flame retardant filler, and from 0.05%-2% of a coupling agent. In accordance with yet other exemplary embodiments, the body  16  may be from 45%-55% of polymer, and from 45%-55% of flame retardant filler. In still further exemplary embodiments, the body  16  may be from 45%-55% of polymer, from 45%-55% of flame retardant filler, and from 0.05%-2% of coupling agent. All of the above mentioned percentages may be either by weight or by volume in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Also, it is to be understood that the percentages of composition may be different in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. 
     Although described as being used to form the body  16 , it is to be understood that the abovementioned materials and composition percentages, such as the high-density polyethylene, flame-retardant fillers, and coupling agents can be used to form bodies  142  and  301  of the various cable blocks in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. The various bodies  16 ,  142  and  301  can all include the same materials, or may include different materials in accordance with various exemplary embodiments such that their composition is not identical to one another. 
     A cable bus system  10  is shown in  FIGS. 7-10 . The first cable bus support block  14  differs from the cable bus support block  14  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 . In this regard, additional cable receiving features  76 ,  86  and  96  are located at the top face  22 . The additional cable receiving features  76 ,  86  and  96  can be configured in a manner identical to that previously discussed with respect to the first cable receiving feature  30 . In this regard, the front and back edges of the additional cable receiving features  76 ,  86  and  96  can be rounded as previously discussed. The first cable bus support block  14  is attached to a mounting plate  114  of the bus housing  12 . The bottom face  24  lays against the mounting plate  114  and a bolt  130  is disposed through the first vertical aperture  64 . Bolt  132  is disposed through the second vertical aperture  68 . Bolts  130  and  132  are attached to press nuts  66  and  70  that are within the first and second vertical apertures  64  and  68 . 
     The bus housing  12  has a pair of side walls  110  and  112  that extend upwards from a bottom wall  108 . The side walls  110  and  112  can be attached to the bottom wall  108  in a variety of manners in accordance with different exemplary embodiments. The side walls  110  and  112  can be attached to the bottom wall  108  through the use of mechanical fasteners or may be welded to the bottom wall  108  in other embodiments. The side walls  110  and  112  can various cross-sectional geometries in accordance with different embodiments of the cable bus system  10 . 
     The cable bus system  10  includes a second cable bus support block  140  that has a body  142  made of the same materials as previously discussed above regarding the first cable bus support block  14 . The second cable bus support block  140  has a front face  144  and an oppositely disposed back face  146 . A bottom face  150  of the body  142  engages the top face  22  of the first cable bus support block  14 . The body  142  has a side face  152  and an oppositely disposed side face  154  on the other end. Side face  152  may include side marking indicia  222  for use in identifying the second cable bus support block  140 . The side marking indicia  222  may be a color, and the user may match the color of the side marking indicia  222  with the color of the side marking indicia  34  so that the first cable bus support block  14  can be matched with the second cable bus support block  140 . The user will thus know that cable bus support blocks  14  and  140  are to be used with onto one another in the cable bus system  10 . 
     The body  142  includes a second cable receiving feature  156  at the bottom face  150 . The second cable receiving feature  156  may be arranged as described above with respect to the first cable receiving feature  30 . In this regard, the second cable receiving feature  156  may be in the shape of a cradle and may extend from the front face  144  to the back face  146 . The second cable receiving feature  156  may have a front face edge  158  at the front face  144  that is rounded in order to prevent damage to first cable  134  received within the second cable receiving feature  156 . A back face edge  160  is present on the back face  146  and can likewise be rounded in order to prevent damage to first cable  134 . A pair of bottom face edges  162  and  164  can extend from the front face  144  to the back face  146  such that the second cable receiving feature  156  is defined between the pair of bottom face edges  162  and  164 . The bottom face edges  162  and  164  may be rounded in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. 
     The first cable bus support block  14  and the second cable bus support block  140  can be arranged with respect to one another so that the first cable receiving feature  30  is located adjacent the second cable receiving feature  156 . In this manner, a combined aperture is formed through which the first cable  134  can extend though both of the blocks  14  and  140 . The cable receiving features  30  and  156  are positioned next to one another so that the top face edge  40  of the first cable receiving feature  30  is located adjacent and possibly contacts the bottom face edge  162  of the second cable receiving feature  156 . Likewise, the top face edge  42  is located adjacent and may contact the bottom face edge  164 . The first cable receiving feature  30  may be configured in the same manner as the second cable receiving feature  156 , or the features  30  and  156  can be configured differently from one another in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. 
     The second cable bus support block  140  includes an additional cable receiving feature  166  at the bottom face  150 . Additional cable receiving feature  166  can be arranged in a manner identical to that previously described with respect to the first cable receiving feature  30 . In this regard, the additional cable receiving feature  166  may extend from the front face  144  to the back face  146  and be in the shape of a cradle on the bottom face  150 . Front and back face edges  168  and  170  are formed and may be rounded in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. A linear bottom face edge  172  can be located adjacent or contact the top face edge  50  of the additional cable receiving feature  44 . Likewise, a linear bottom face edge  174  may be located adjacent or contact the top face edge  52  of the additional cable receiving feature  44 . The adjacent cable receiving features  44  and  166  define a combined aperture for the receipt of a second cable  136 . 
     An additional cable receiving feature  176  is defined on the bottom face  150 . The additional cable receiving feature  176  may be configured in a manner identical to that previously discussed with respect to the first cable receiving feature  30 . The additional cable receiving feature  176  may include rounded front and back face edges  178  and  180 . A bottom face edge  182  may be located adjacent or may contact the top face edge  60  of additional cable receiving feature  54 . Bottom face edge  184  may be located adjacent or contact top face edge  62  of additional cable receiving feature  54 . A combined aperture is formed by the adjacent cable receiving features  176  and  54  for receipt of a third cable  138 . 
     Additional cable receiving features  186 ,  188  and  190  are present on the bottom face  150  of the second cable bus support block  140  and are aligned with cable receiving features  76 ,  86  and  96  of the first cable bus support block  14 . A fourth cable  192 , fifth cable  194  and sixth cable  196  can be positioned within the aligned cable receiving features and supported therein. The additional cable receiving features  186 ,  188  and  190  may be configured in a manner as previously discussed with respect to the first cable receiving feature  30 . 
     Although shown as supporting twelve cables  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  192 ,  194  and  196  and cables  198 , it is to be understood that any number of cables may be supported by the cable bus system  10  in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. Further, the cables  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  192 ,  194 ,  196  and  198  may be arranged in various manners and may be used to convey various types of power and/or information. The cables  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  192 ,  194 ,  196  and  198  may be jacketed and may in some circumstances include a sleeve or other member that is disposed within the combined apertures formed by the first, second and third cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300 . The sleeve or other member may function to add extra diameter to the cables  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  192 ,  194 ,  196  and  198  within the combined apertures in order to provide for secure holding therein. 
     The second cable bus support block  140  may include additional cable receiving features  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  and  210  at a top face  148  of the body  142 . The additional cable receiving features  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  and  210  may be configured in a manner identical to those previously discussed with respect to the other cable receiving features. In this regard, the additional cable receiving features  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  and  210  may have rounded front and back edges, and may be in the shape of a cradle. A third cable bus support block  300  is stacked upon the second cable bus support block  140  and has cable receiving features  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310  and  312  that are located adjacent the additional cable receiving features  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  and  210  so that combined apertures are formed. The cable receiving features  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310  and  312  may be configured in a manner identical to that previously discussed with respect to the first cable receiving feature  30  or may be arranged differently in accordance with other embodiments. Additional cable  198  may then be located in the combined apertures for support in the cable bus system  10 . The third cable bus support block  300  has a body  301  that can be composed of material previously discussed with respect to the other cable bus support blocks  14  and  140 . Any number of additional cable bus support blocks can be incorporated into the cable bus system  10  in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. Further, although shown as having six cable receiving features along their lengths, the cable bus support blocks may have any number of cable receiving features along their lengths so that additional cables can be supported. Although shown as being configured for use in supporting two rows of cable, any number of rows of cable can be supported in other embodiments. The cable receiving features may be arranged differently in the upper row than in the lower row. 
     The second cable bus support block  140  includes a pair of vertical apertures  216  and  218  that extend from the top face  148  to the bottom face  150 . The first vertical aperture  216  can be aligned with first vertical aperture  64  and bolt  130  may be disposed through apertures  216  and  64 . Likewise the second vertical aperture  218  can be aligned with the second vertical aperture  68  and bolt  132  may be disposed through the aligned apertures  218  and  68 . The third cable bus support block  300  has apertures  314  and  316 . Aperture  314  is in alignment with apertures  216  and  64 . Aperture  316  is placed into alignment with apertures  218  and  68 . Bolts  130  and  132  may be used to effect attachment of the third cable bus support block  300 , second cable bus support block  140 , and first cable bus support block  14 . The bolts  130  and  132  in some exemplary embodiments may be used to attach the cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300  to the bus housing  12  by extension of the bolts  130  and  132  through apertures present in the mounting plate  114 . Although shown as being attached through the use of bolts  130  and  132 , it is to be understood that the cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300  can be attached through various means in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. Also, any number of bolts may be employed. Further, the cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300  need not be connected to one another but may instead be connected to flanges of the bus housing  12  in other embodiments. 
     The second cable bus support block  140  includes second marking indicia  220  on the front face  144  of body  142 . The second marking indicia  220  functions to identify the second cable bus support block  140  and acts to match the second cable bus support block  140  with the first cable bus support block  14 . The first marking indicia  32  and second marking indicia  220  can be symbols, letters, numbers, colors, score lines, or combinations thereof. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment the first and second marking indicia  32  and  220  are score lines. During installation, a user may identify the cable bus support blocks  14  and  140  as being a match to one another upon having the same marking indicia  32  and  220 . Additionally or alternatively, side marking indicia  34  and  222  may be used to identify the cable bus support blocks  14  and  140  as being a match with one another. In this regard, the side marking indicia  34  and  222  may be identical to one another so that a user knows the cable bus support blocks  14  and  140  are matched to one another. 
     Once the user knows the cable bus support blocks  14  and  140  are a match to one another, the user can place the first cable bus support block  14  onto the mounting plate  114  of the bus housing  12 . A pair of plates  122  and  124  are present in the cable bus system  10  and are arranged so as to form a channel  120  that extends across the width of the passageway  224 . The first cable bus support block  14  can be located within the channel  120  so that its position can be generally fixed. The first marking indicia  32  may still be visible on the front face  18  above the plate  122 . The user can thus see the first marking indicia  32  even when the first cable bus support block  14  is located in the channel  120 . The user is able to correctly orient and locate the second cable bus support block  140  by way of aligning or otherwise correctly orienting the second marking indicia  220  with the first marking indicia  32 . The user can then correctly place the second cable bus support block  140  on top of the first cable bus support block  14 . If a score line is used for both marking indicia  32  and marking indicia  220 , the score lines can be aligned with one another as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . It may be the case that the first cable receiving feature  30  is not to be located adjacent the second cable receiving feature  156 . If the user incorrectly positions the first and second cable bus support blocks  14  and  140  in this manner, the marking indicia  34  and  220  will indicate that the blocks  14  and  140  are not properly oriented. Further, although the first and second cable receiving features  30  and  156  may be aligned and still function to make a suitable aperture if they are incorrectly positioned, other apertures formed by the first and second cable bus support blocks  14  and  140  may be improperly formed if the two blocks  14  and  140  are not properly oriented with respect to one another. The marking indicia  32  and  220  thus functions to match and properly orient the first and second cable bus support blocks  14  and  140  in the cable bus system  10 . 
     Placement of the first and second marking indicia  34  and  220  on the front faces  18  and  144  allows the indicia  34  and  220  to be seen when the blocks  14  and  140  are inserted into channel  120 . As such, the marking indicia  34  and  220  can be located on the front faces  18  and  144  so that they are visible when the blocks  14  and  140  are installed by the user into channel  120 . The first and second marking indicia  34  and  222  thus face towards the passageway  224  of the bus housing  12  and not towards the side walls  110  and  112  of the bus housing in certain exemplary embodiments. The first and second marking indicia  34  and  220  can be provided so that the installer knows the correct upwards or downwards orientation of the support blocks  14  and  140 . Additionally or alternatively, the marking indicia  34  and  220  may provide information towards the orientation of the blocks  14  and  140  with respect to one another and not with respect to the bus housing  12 . In certain embodiments, the first and second marking indicia  34  and  220  can provide information to the user so that the user knows which direction within the passageway  224  the blocks  14  and  140  are to face. 
     The user may thus correctly place and orient the second cable bus support block  140  on top of the first cable bus support block  14 . Apertures  116  and  118  may be present in the plate  122 . Aligned apertures may be present in the other plate  124  forming the channel  120 . Bolts  131  and  133  may be disposed through the apertures  116  and  118  in order to effect attachment of the first cable bus support block  14  to the bus housing  12 . Bolts  130  and  132  may also be present and can be disposed through vertical apertures  64 ,  68 ,  216 ,  218 ,  314  and  316  of the first, second and third cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300  as previously discussed in order to effect attachment of these components. In an alternative embodiment, the bolts  130  and  132  may extend through the mounting plate  114  as previously discussed to function to further retain the first, second and third cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300  to the cable bus system  10 . However the bolts  130  and  132  may simply engage press nuts  66  and  70  that could be located in the first cable bus support block  14  in certain embodiments without being attached to the mounting plate  114 . 
     The third cable bus support block  300  can also have marking indicia  318  located on its front face. The user may align or otherwise match the marking indicia  220  and  318  so that the second cable bus support block  140  and the third cable bus support block  300  are properly oriented. The marking indicia  318  can be a score line as previously discussed with respect to other embodiments. The marking indicia  34 ,  220  and  318  may each extend completely from the bottom face to the top face on the front face of the respective cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300 . The marking indicia  14 ,  140  and  300  may be visible to the user when the blocks  14 ,  140  and  300  are installed into the channel  120 . Additionally, the third cable bus support block  300  can have side marking  320  in order to match this block  300  with the other two blocks  14  and  140  of the set. However, it is to be understood that the marking indicia  34 ,  220  and  318  may be used to match the set of blocks  14 ,  140  and  300 . 
     During installation, multiple cable bus support blocks may be present for the user. Provision of the marking indicia  32 ,  220  and  318  on the front face enables the installer to know which cable bus support blocks go with one another and provides insight as to their proper orientation with respect to one another. Although described as including marking indicia  34 ,  222  and  318 , this indicia need not be present in certain exemplary embodiments. Further, although described as having side marking indicia  32 ,  220  and  320 , it is to be understood that these markings  32 ,  220  and  320  need not be present in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. 
     A top wall  106  may be attached to the side walls  110  and  112  in order to define a passageway  224  of the bus housing  12 . The top wall  106  can be attached to the side walls  110  and  112  through the use of mechanical fasteners, welding, or adhesion in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. The top wall  106  includes vents  126 , and bottom wall  108  includes vents  128 . Vents  126  and  128  function to cool the passageway  224  during use of the cable bus system  10  such that heat generated by transferring power or information through cables  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  192 ,  194 ,  196  and  198  can be transferred from the passageway  224  through vents  126  and  128  to minimize temperature elevations of the cable bus system  10 . 
     Information Added in Continuation-In-Part 
     The bodies  16 ,  142  and  301  of the various cable blocks may also include antidrip additives. Antidrip additives are used to help improve the integrity and melt strength of a polymeric material when it is burned. As a result, the polymeric material maintains its physical form more effectively when it is burned and is less likely to drip and spread flame. Antidrip additives are typically high molecular weight, incompatible, polymeric materials that form fibrillated domains when processed with other polymers. Examples of antidrip additives that can be incorporated into the bodies  16 ,  142  and  301  include fluoropolymers and ultra high molecular weight polyolefins. Preferred antidrip additives in this invention are polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). 
     Examples of useful fluoropolymer antidrip additives that may be used are polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymers, and tetrafluoroethylene copolymers with relatively small proportions (generally up to 50% by weight) of copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomers. 
     Fibrillatable PTFE antidrip additives that may be used include those marketed by 3M Dyneon, for example Dyneon® PA5933. 3M Dyneon has offices located at 6744 33 rd  Street North, Oakdale, Minn., USA. Other examples of PTFE additives include those marketed by Dupont under their Teflon® trademark. Dupont has offices located at 1007 Market St., Wilmington, Del., USA. 
     Examples of useful ultra high molecular weight polyethylene additives include those typically having a molecular weight greater than 500,000 g/mol, more preferably greater than 1,000,000 g/mol and most preferably those having a molecular weight greater than 2,000,000 g/mol. Examples of UHMWPE materials that may be included into the body  16 ,  142  and  301  include GUR® UHMWPE, commercially available from Ticona Corporation having offices located at 8040 Dixie Highway, Florence, Ky., USA. Preferred examples include GUR 4150. 
     The antidrip additives may be added to the extrusion or molding compound as a fine powder. This improves the dispersion of these highly incompatible materials in the melt processable composition and improves the effectiveness of the antidrip additive in the final application. The particle size of the antidrip additive may be less than 50 microns, may be less than 25 microns and may be less than 10 microns. 
     The antidrip additives can be added to the polymeric materials making up the body  16 ,  142  and  301  at levels required to effectively prevent dripping during burning. In one exemplary embodiment, the antidrip additive is added at 1%-20% by weight of the formulation. In accordance with other exemplary embodiments the antidrip additive is added between 2%-10% by weight. In still further exemplary embodiment the antidrip additive is added at 4%-10% by weight of the formulation. 
     The body  16 ,  142  and  301  may be from 40%-60% of polyethylene and from 40%-60% of flame retardant filler and from 2%-10% of antidrip additive in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. A coupling agent may also be added so that the body  16 ,  142  and  301  is from 39%-59% of polyethylene, 39%-59% of flame retardant filler, 2%-10% of antidrip additive, and up to 2% of coupling agent in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. In accordance with other versions, the body  16 ,  142  and  301  may be from 30%-70% of polymer, from 30%-70% of flame retardant filler, from 2%-10% of antidrip additive, and from 0.05%-2% of a coupling agent. In accordance with yet other exemplary embodiments, the body  16 ,  142  and  301  may be from 40%-55% of polymer, from 40%-55% of flame retardant filler and from 1%-10% of antidrip additive. In still further exemplary embodiments, the body  16 ,  142  and  301  may be from 45%-55% of polymer, from 45%-55% of flame retardant filler, from 0.05%-2% of coupling agent, and from 2%-10% of antidrip additive. All of the above mentioned percentages may be either by weight or by volume in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Also, it is to be understood that the percentages of composition may be different in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. The various bodies  16 ,  142  and  301  can all include the same materials, or may include different materials in accordance with various exemplary embodiments such that their composition is not identical to one another. Although described as being an antidrip additive, it is to be understood that the antidrip additive may also be described as a charring or self-extinguishing additive. The bodies  16 ,  142  and  301  of the various cable blocks may be made in various manners. In one embodiment, the bodies  16 ,  142  and  301  are machined to form the various features associated therewith. In another embodiment, the bodies  16 ,  142  and  301  are formed through injection molding. The bodies  16 ,  142  and  301  can be solid or may have voids formed therein that are either completely internal or are visible from the outside. When formed with voids, strengthening designs such as a honeycomb structure may be incorporated into the bodies  16 ,  142  and  301  to increase strength. 
     A three phase electric power distribution system is a method of alternating current power transmission that incorporates three circuit conductors that transmit alternating currents that have the same frequency. The three currents are delayed so that they achieve peak values at different times. In addition to three different circuit conductors, such power distribution systems may also include a ground conductor and a neutral conductor. Three phase power distributions systems achieve a balanced provision of power so that motor and generator vibrations are low and so that electrical circuit design is simplified. The cable bus system  10  may be arranged so that it is capable of housing cables for three phase electric power. However, it is to be understood that power distribution systems other than those having three phases may be used in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates another exemplary embodiment in which three cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300  are generally arranged in a manner as previously discussed. The three cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300  may be provided with marking indicia  32 ,  220  and  318  as previously discussed to aid the user during installation of the cable bus system  10 . Additional indicia may be provided on the front faces  18 ,  144  and  322  of the cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300  in order to aid the user in correctly placing the various cables within the cable bus system  10 . For example, in a three phase power distribution system it may be the case that the various phase, ground and neutral cables should be positioned at certain locations within the cable bus system  10  so that they do not create interference which would impede or hamper the correct functioning of the three phase power distribution system. An installer may refer to an electrical schematic diagram that provides instructions as to which cable receiving features of the cable bus system  10  should receive which phase, ground or neutral cables to ensure proper operation. Further, an electrical diagram may be used in order to determine the correct placement of multiple circuits within the cable bus system  10  or to correctly place other cable that is not a part of one of the circuits. 
     Additional indicia on the front faces  18 ,  144  and  322  may provide a supplemental or alternative solution to the correct placement of cable within the cable bus system  10  in addition to or alternatively to the use of an electrical schematic diagram. As shown, phase indicia  400  can be included on front face  18  and may be labeled “A1.” Phase indicia  400  is located next to the cable receiving feature  30  and associated cable receiving feature  156 . In this manner, the user will be informed that a cable carrying A phase power should be disposed within the cable receiving features  156  and  30 . Although described as being located next to the sides of the cable receiving features  156  and  30 , it is to be understood that the phase indicia  400  can be located on top of or on the bottom of the cable receiving features  156  and  30  or at any other location in the cable bus system  10  so long as the installer is able to associate the phase indicia  400  with the cable receiving features  156  and  30 . Further, although described as being labeled “A1” it is to be understood that the actual label of the phase indicia  400  be changed in other embodiments. The phase indicia  400  can be labeled as “A”, “phase A”, “1”, or “first phase.” The phase indicia  400  may be any label capable of suggesting to the user the type of cable that is to be place at that location in the cable bus system  10 . 
     Additional indicia may be included on the front face  18  as shown. For example, phase indicia  402  can be located to the side of the cable receiving feature  44  and hence next to associated cable receiving feature  166 . Phase indicia  402  is labeled as “B1” and is used to inform the installer that B phase cable is to be placed within the cable receiving features  166  and  44 . In a similar manner, phase indicia  404  is labeled “C1” and is located next to cable receiving features  176  and  54  in order to identify the placement of C phase cable within these cable receiving features  176  and  54 . Neutral indicia  406 , labeled “N1”, is also located on the front face  18  and is used to inform the user that neutral cable is to be located within the cable receiving features  186  and  76  associated with the neutral indicia  406 . The three phase circuit further includes a ground cable that may be located within the cable receiving features  188  and  86  that are identified by ground indicia  408  that is labeled as “G1.” It is to be understood that the placement and labeling of the indicia  402 ,  404 ,  406  and  408  is only exemplary and may be provided in other embodiments in manners similar to those previously discussed with respect to the phase indicia  400 . 
     Additional indicia is located on the front face  144  to indicate installation positions of cable present in another three phase power circuit. As such, the cable bus system  10  may be designed to hold any number of circuits in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. Phase indicia  410  is present on the front face  144  next to cable receiving feature  200  and associated cable receiving feature  302  and is labeled “A2.” The phase indicia  410  indicates to the installer that A phase cable of the second circuit is to be located within the cable receiving features  200  and  302 . The “A” of the “A2” indicates that A phase power is to be installed, and the “2” indicates that the particular location is for use with the second and not the first power circuit. In this regard, the locations for the first and second power circuits can be distinguished by the indicia. Although described as being located next to the cable receiving features  200  and  302 , it is to be understood that the phase indicia  410  can be located on the top or bottom of the cable receiving features  200  and  302  or at any other location in the cable bus system  10  so long as the installer is able to associate the phase indicia  410  with the cable receiving features  200  and  302 . Further, although described as being labeled “A2” it is to be understood that the actual label of the phase indicia  410  be changed in other embodiments. The phase indicia  410  can be labeled as “A”, “phase A”, “2”, or “second phase.” The phase indicia  410  may be any label capable of suggesting to the user the type of cable that is to be place at that location in the cable bus system  10 . 
     Phase indicia  412  is located next to the cable receiving features  202  and  304  and is labeled as “B2” in order to inform the installer that B phase cable of the second power circuit is to be located at the cable receiving features  202  and  304 . Phase indicia  414  is present next to cable receiving features  204  and  306  and is labeled “C2” in order to instruct the user to put C phase cable of the second power circuit into these cable receiving features  204  and  306 . A neutral indicia  416  is placed next to the cable receiving features  206  and  308  and is labeled “N2” for placement of the neutral cable of the second power circuit. Finally, ground indicia  418  is next to the cable receiving features  208  and  310  and labeled “G2” so that ground cable of the second power circuit is appropriately located. It is to be understood that the placement and labeling of the indicia  412 ,  414 ,  416  and  418  is only exemplary and may be provided in other embodiments in manners similar to those previously discussed with respect to the phase indicia  410 . 
     Additional cable indicia  420  can be associated with cable receiving features  96  and  190  and labeled “X.” The user may thus place cable that is not affiliated with the first or second power circuit within the cable receiving features  96  and  190  for additional functionality. A further additional cable indicia  422  labeled “Y” can be associated with cable receiving features  210  and  312  and may be used to locate another cable within the cable bus system  10  that is not a part of the first or second power circuits. It is to be understood that the placement of the various indicia, and hence cables, is only exemplary and that other placements are possible. For example, the indicia denoting placement of the first power circuit need not be located below the indicia signifying placement of the second power circuit. Certain cables of the first power circuit may thus be located next to cables of the second power circuit. As such, the particular locations of the indicia, and hence accompanying cables, is only for sake of example and that other placements are possible in order to optimize the performance of the various power circuits through locating components in desired positions relative to one another. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300  incorporated into a bus housing  12  as disclosed with respect to previous exemplary embodiments. As shown, a plate  122  covers a substantial portion of the front face  18  of the first cable bus support block  14 . In this regard, the plate  122  may function to cover portions of the front face  18  so that a user may not be capable of viewing indicia located on the front face  18 . As such, the indicia  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408  and  420  are located on the front face  18  at non-covered locations. The user can place the first cable bus support block  14  into the bus housing  12  and attach same thereon through the use of bolts  131  and  133  and subsequently refer to the indicia  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408  and  420  on the first cable bus support block  14 . However, other embodiments are possible in which the indicia  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408  and  420  are located on the front face  144  of the second cable bus support block  140 . Cables  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  192 ,  194  and  196  can be properly located within the appropriate cable receiving features upon reference to the indicia  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408  and  420 . Further, although all of the various indicia for locating the cables has been described as being present on the front faces  18 ,  144  and/or  322  other embodiments are possible in which the various indicia are located on the back faces of the cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300  or on the bus housing  12  or on other portions of the cable bus system  10 . 
     The installer may then reference indicia  410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418  and  422  in order to properly locate cables  424 ,  426 ,  428 ,  430 ,  432  and  434  within the cable receiving features of the second and third cable bus support blocks  140  and  300 . Although shown as being located on the front face  144  of the second cable bus support block  140 , the indicia  410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418  and  422  may be provided on the front face  322  of the third cable bus support block  300  in other embodiments. Further, the indicia  410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418  and  422  could be located on both the second and third cable bus support blocks  140  and  300  in different embodiments. The various cables may be properly located within the cable bus system  10  without the need to refer back to a set of instillation drawings during assembly. 
     The indicia  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 ,  420 ,  410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418  and  422  may be incorporated into the cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and/or  300  in a variety of manners. For example, etching, printing, labels, integral formation through molding, stamping or writing may be used to form these features. The indicia can be used in combination with other features of the cable bus system  10  such as the disclosed materials making up the cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140  and  300 , rounded edges of the cable receiving features, and/or the marking indicia  32 ,  220  and  318 . However, other embodiments are possible in which the other features of the cable bus system  10  are not present and in which indicia  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 ,  420 ,  410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418  and  422  are included. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the cable bus system  10 . Here, the cable receiving feature  30  includes a plurality of slots  450  that extend from the front face  18  to the back face  20  of the body  16 . The slots  450  are disposed an equal distance about the perimeter of the cable receiving feature  30  and have a cross-sectional shape that has three planar surfaces. The slots  450  function to dissipate heat built up within the cable receiving feature  30  by the first cable  134 . Placement of the first cable  134  within the cable receiving feature  30  causes a portion of the body  16  to surround the first cable  134 . This arrangement results in an increase in heat within the cable receiving feature  30 . The first cable  134  is not disposed within the slots  450  but rather contacts the curved surface of the body  16  that defines the cable receiving feature  30 . Heat generated by the first cable  134  is transferred from the cable receiving feature  30  by the slots  450  and dissipated. 
     Any number of slots  450  may be defined by the body  16 . Further, the slots  450  need not have the same cross-sectional shape but can be variously shaped. For example, none of the slots  450  of the body  16  have the same cross-sectional shape in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. The slots  450  may have from three to nine sides in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Further, the surfaces of the slots  450  need not be planar but can be curved. The size of the slots  450  may be varied so that they can be of any depth. The slots  450  may engage the cable receiving feature  30  such that the slots  450  are defined on the surface of the cable receiving feature  30  and open into the space of the cable receiving feature  30 . 
     The slots  450  may be disposed on only one of, or all of, the cable receiving features  30 ,  44 ,  54 ,  76 ,  86  and/or  96  of the body  16 . Additionally, slots  450  can be present on the cable receiving features  156 ,  166 ,  176 ,  186 ,  188 ,  190 ,  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 , and  210  of the second cable bus support block  140  to aid in heat dissipation. In a similar manner, slots  450  may be present on the cable receiving features  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310  and  312  of the third cable bus support block  300  to assist in heat dissipation. The various slots  450  may be identically constructed or may be variously constructed in accordance with various embodiments. Further, although shown in some of the drawings as touching the cable bus support blocks  14 ,  140 , or  300 , the various cables may or may not touch portions of the various support blocks  14 ,  140 , or  300  in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. 
     While the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.