Patent ID: 7826202

Claim:
A modular power distribution system for distributing power to a building structure comprising a plurality of removably engagable system components which carry electrical power through each said system component for supplying power throughout said building structure, each of said system components being provided with at least one end connector defined as one of a first connector of a first connector type and a second connector of a second connector type which differs from said first connector type, said first and second connectors being connectable with other of said first and second connectors only when said connector types do not match and not being connectable when said connector types match; said first and second connectors each having a common plug section with common electrical contacts therein for completing an electrical connection between two mated plug sections by mating engagement of said plug sections and said respective electrical contacts together, wherein said first and second connector types further include respective, differently-formed, first and second connector formations that define said different first and second connector types of said first and second connectors, said first and second connector formations being disposed proximate said plug sections so as to come into cooperating engagement with each other upon mating engagement of said plug sections wherein each of said first connector formations only mates with said second connector formations and not said first connector formations; said system components of said power distribution system comprising: elongate wiring units which each have said end connectors at respective opposite ends thereof and which extend longitudinally in end-to-end engagement through building cavities from a power source, said wiring units including a single end arrangement of one said first connector on one of said opposite ends and a double end arrangement of said second connectors on the other of said opposite ends wherein said second connectors are disposed sidewardly adjacent to each other, wherein said first connector of said single end arrangement of one said wiring unit is connectable to one said second connector of said double end arrangement of one other said wiring unit; the other of said second connectors of said double end arrangement being offset from said one second connector and remaining accessible sidewardly of said wiring unit connected thereto for connection of another one of said system components thereto; light components connected to said wiring units for connection to lighting fixtures; switch components for controlling said light components; and receptacles connectable to said wiring units for supplying power outlets within said building structure wherein said system components are joined together by engagement of a said first connector of one said system component with a said second connector of another said system component.