Patent ID: 7614896

Claim:
A power distribution system for longitudinally elongate raceways comprising: power distribution modules which are elongate in a longitudinal direction so as to be mountable in and extend longitudinally along raceways, said power distribution modules having a plurality of conductors extending longitudinally therethrough in said longitudinal direction which comprise common, neutral or ground conductors to define a plurality of electrical circuits carried longitudinally through said power distribution module; a first one of said power distribution modules including a plurality of groups of first openings which are longitudinally spaced apart from each other and open in a sideward direction transverse to said longitudinal direction wherein each group of first openings is arranged in a first opening pattern and provides sideward access to said electrical conductors which extend in said longitudinal direction and are transversely exposed in said sideward direction; and at least a second one of said power distribution modules including at least one group of second openings on a front module face thereof which faces in said sideward direction wherein said second openings open sidewardly and have a same configuration as said first openings with a same size and shape and are arranged in said first opening pattern to provide access sidewardly to said conductors that are exposed therein, and further including electrical contacts electrically connected to said conductors and each having a projecting contact part projecting sidewardly from a back module face thereof, which said back module face faces sidewardly opposite to said front module face, said projecting contact parts being arranged in a first contact pattern corresponding to said first opening pattern so as to be insertable sidewardly into said first openings and engageable sidewardly with said exposed conductors of said first power distribution module through said group of first openings thereof to electrically connect said conductors of said first and second power distribution modules while said second openings remain exposed in said sideward direction which permit simultaneous connection of another said second power distribution module thereto; and a receptacle having receptacle contacts projecting sidewardly from a sideward-facing back receptacle face thereof which are arranged in said first contact pattern so as to be alternatively engagable sidewardly with any of said groups of said first and second openings of said first and second power distribution modules, and said second power distribution module being simultaneously engagable with said first power distribution module, by said projecting contact parts thereof, and with said receptacle, by said second openings thereof, said receptacle including plug openings on an exterior receptacle face thereof which open sidewardly and are arranged in a second opening pattern different from said first opening pattern and permit electrical connection of a plug of electrical equipment with said receptacle contacts.