Patent ID: 7922516

Claim:
A continuous flexible bus comprising: a plurality of flexible clad conductors; a switch; and at least one piercing connector configured to pierce one of the plurality of flexible clad conductors and to cause an electrical connection between an electrical conductor in the pierced one of the plurality of flexible clad conductors and the switch wherein the piercing connector comprises; a first block associated with at least a first circuit conductor lug having a plurality of first piercing contacts; a second block; and at least one fastener connecting the first block to the second block, the at least one fastener configured to cause the plurality of first piercing contacts to make and maintain electrical contact with the electrical conductor placed between the first block and the second block wherein the at least one fastener is configured to further cause the plurality of first piercing contacts to pierce an armor around the electrical conductor, to pass through a jacket around the electrical conductor, and to pass through insulation around the electrical conductor before making and maintaining electrical contact with the electrical conductor placed between the first block and the second block wherein the plurality of first piercing contacts are insulated in such a way that the plurality of first piercing contacts only make and maintain electrical contact with the electrical conductor and do not make and maintain electrical contact with the armor around the electrical conductor.