Patent ID: 8093748

Claim:
A power distribution system to receive power from a selected one of: (i) a three-phase delta power supply, (ii) a three-phase star power supply, and (iii) a single-phase power supply, comprising: a common receptacle keyed to receive as power signals on commonly shared plural receptacle pins any one of: (i) three-phase delta power, (ii) three-phase star power, and (iii) single-phase power; a discrimination circuit to test a voltage on at least one of the plural receptacle pins to automatically determine which one of: (i) three-phase delta power, (ii) three-phase star power, or (iii) single-phase power is currently supplying the power signals on the plural receptacle pins; plural sets of single-phase output conductors to supply single-phase power derived from the power signals, wherein said single-phase output conductors supply single-phase power based at least in part on which one of (i) three-phase delta power, (ii) three-phase star power, or (iii) single-phase power is currently supplying the power signals on the plural receptacle pins, as determined by said discrimination circuit; plural output banks, each one output bank corresponding to a different one set of single-phase output conductors, to supply power to appliances associated with the power distribution system.