AU3394099A - Modular electrical power distribution and switching system and connection module therefor - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD

PATENT

Applicant(s): GREENSHELL PTY LTD A.C.N. 076 549 954 Invention Title: MODULAR ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION AND SWITCHING SYSTEM AND CONNECTION MODULE THEREFOR 0000 t 0 *i 0 0 000 00 00 0 0*00 00 .0 6 I 0* 0 0 .40 0006 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 MODULAR ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION AND SWITCHING SYSTEM AND CONNECTION MODULE THEREFOR This invention relates to electrical power distribution and switching systems for electrical appliances and is particularly concerned with providing an electrical power distribution and switching system for lights or other electrical appliances which uses modular components to provide flexibility and ease of installation.

Currently, in buildings such as offices, hotels, houses or the like, electrical lighting systems are installed by hard :I wiring lights and switches therefor to the mains electrical o supply of the building, and when it is desired to change S: 15 the location of a switch or a light or to provide an °o additional light and/or an additional switch for controlling a light or lights, it is necessary for a qualified electrician to install the wiring for the required lights and/or switches.

S.g.

The present invention provides, therefore, an electrical power distribution and switching system for electric lights, electrical appliances or other electrical loads, including a connection module connectable in an electrical power supply circuit, the circuit formed by a plurality of connector leads having co-operating plug and socket connectors, the connection module having a load coupler, and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, the switch locatable independently of the switch coupler, wherein the connection module has first and second power supply connectors in the form of plug and/or socket connectors for connecting with complementary socket and/or H: \ARymer\Keep\Speci \Andrew\ 40717.95 div. doc 8/06/99 3 plug connectors on the ends of the connector leads of the power supply circuit.

Thus, the switch is remotely connectable to the switch coupler, which connection may be established by means of any suitable technique such as electrical wiring or with an infra-red link.

Preferably the load coupler is in the form of a socket or plug connector adapted to co-operate with a complementary plug or socket connector on one end of an appliance connection lead.

Preferably the switch coupler is in the form of a socket or 15 plug connector for co-operating with a complementary plug or socket connector on one end of a switch connection lead, the other end of which is connectable to the switch.

Preferably the system includes either a light or other 20 electrical appliance connected to the power coupler or, a plurality of lights or other electrical appliances connected in series to the power coupler.

Preferably the system includes an intermediate electric light or other electrical appliance connectable to the load coupler by an appliance input connection lead, and to another electric light or other electrical appliance by an appliance output connection lead.

Preferably the appliance input and output connection leads have complementary plug and socket connectors thereon.

Preferably the connection module has a plurality of switch H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\ndrew\40717 95div.doc 8/06/99 4 couplers releasably connectable to corresponding switches, whereby, when respective switches are connected to the switch couplers, the supply of electrical power to an appliance connected to the load coupler can be controlled by any one of the switches connected to the switch couplers.

Preferably the module includes a plurality of load couplers switchable by the switch.

Preferably the module includes a plurality of switch couplers and a plurality of load couplers.

Preferably the system includes the switch or switches.

Preferably the system includes a plurality of connection modules.

The present invention also provides a connection module for 20 use in a modular electrical power distribution and switching system, including first and second power supply connectors, a load coupler connectable to an electric light or other electrical appliance, and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, the switch locatable independently of the switch coupler, wherein the first and second power supply connectors comprise complementary plug and socket connectors.

Preferably the first and second power supply connectors include respective sets of two or more electrical terminals connected by electrical conductors.

H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 5 Preferably the first and second power supply connectors are provided at opposite ends of the connection module.

Preferably the load coupler and the switch coupler each includes a set of two or more terminals, each terminal being connected electrically either to one of the electrical conductors or to a terminal of the other of the couplers.

Preferably active and neutral electrical conductors extend between the first and second power supply connectors, and one of the switch coupler and load coupler has a first terminal connected to the active conductor and the other of the couplers has a first terminal connected to the neutral c 15 conductor, the switch coupler and load coupler both having second terminals connected to each other.

:'.Preferably an earth conductor extends between the first and second power supply connectors, and the load coupler has an 20 earth terminal connected to the earth conductor.

Preferably the connection module has a plurality of switch couplers whereby, when switches are connected respectively to each of the switch couplers, the supply of electric power to an appliance connected to the switched power outlet can be controlled by any one of the switches connected to the switch couplers.

Preferably active and neutral conductors extend between the first and second power supply connectors, the active conductor being connected to a first terminal either of the load coupler or of a first one of the switch couplers, the neutral conductor being connected to the first terminal of H:\ARymer\Keep\speci\Andrew\4071795.div~doc 8/06/99 6 the other one of the first switch coupler or the load coupler, another terminal of the first switch coupler being connected to a first terminal of a second switch coupler, and another terminal of the second switch coupler being connected to a second terminal of the load coupler.

Preferably a third terminal of the first switch coupler is connected to a third terminal of the second switch coupler.

Preferably the module includes an earth conductor extending between the first and second power supply connectors, and the load coupler has an earth terminal connected to the earth conductor.

15 Preferably one of the first and second power supply connectors has terminals in the form of pin connectors and the other of the power input and power output connectors S..has terminals in the form of pin-receiving terminals adapted to receive pin terminals of a plug connector of a 20 connector lead, or of another similar connection module.

Alternatively the load coupler has pin terminals or pinreceiving terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on an appliance connection lead.

Preferably each of the switch coupler or switch couplers has pin terminals or pin-receiving terminals for cooperation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on a switch connection lead.

Preferably the pin-receiving terminals comprise bifurcated H:\iARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.divdoc 8/06/99 7 spring contacts each having a pair of fork portion extending from a terminal head portion.

In addition, the present invention further provides a connection module for use in a modular electrical power distribution and switching system, including first and second power supply connectors, a load coupler connectable to an electric light or other electrical appliance, and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, the switch locatable independently of the switch coupler, wherein one of the first and second power supply connectors has terminals in the form of pin connectors and 9* the other of the power input and power output connectors 9 15 has terminals in the form of pin-receiving terminals adapted to receive pin terminals of a plug connector of a connector lead, or of another similar connection module.

In one specific aspect, the present invention provides an 20 electrical power distribution and switching system for electric lights, electrical appliances or other electrical loads including a connection module connectable in an electrical power supply circuit, the circuit formed by a plurality of connector leads having co-operating plug and socket connectors, the connection module having a load coupler and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, whereby the switch is locatable independently of the switch coupler, and wherein the switch coupler is in the form of a socket or plug connector for co-operating with a complementary plug or socket connector on one end of a switch connection lead, the other end of which is connected to the switch.

H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717 95.div doc 8/06/99 8 In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a connection module for use in a modular electrical power distribution and switching system, including first and second power supply connectors, a load coupler connectable to an electric light or other electrical appliance, and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, the switch locatable independently of the switch coupler, wherein the switch coupler or couplers have pin terminals or pin-receiving terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on a switch connection lead.

15 In another embodiment, there is provided an electrical power distribution and switching system for electric lights, electrical appliances or other electrical loads including a connection module connectable in an electrical power supply circuit, the circuit formed by a plurality of 20 connector leads having co-operating plug and socket connectors, the connection module having a load coupler and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, whereby the switch is locatable independently of the switch coupler, and an intermediate electric light or other electrical appliance connectable to the load coupler by an appliance input connection lead, and to another electric light or other electrical appliance by an appliance output connection lead.

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system a connection module for use in a modular electrical power distribution and switching system, H:\ARyer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 9 including first and second power supply connectors, a load coupler connectable to an electric light or other electrical appliance, and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, whereby the switch is locatable independently of the switch coupler, and wherein active and neutral electrical conductors extend between the first and second power supply connectors, and one of the switch coupler and load coupler has a first terminal connected to the active conductor and the other of the couplers has a first terminal connected to the neutral conductor, the switch coupler and load coupler both having :•"second terminals connected to each other.

oo S° 15 In another aspect the present invention provides a connection module for use in a modular electrical power distribution and switching system, including first and second power supply connectors, a load coupler connectable to an electric light or other electrical appliance, and a 20 switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, the switch locatable independently of the switch coupler, wherein the connection module has a plurality of switch couplers whereby, when switches are connected respectively to each of the switch couplers, the supply of electric power to an appliance connected to the switched power outlet can be controlled by any one of the switches connected to the switch couplers, and wherein active and neutral conductors extend between the first and second power supply connectors, the active conductor being connected to a first terminal either of the load coupler or of a first one of the switch couplers, the neutral conductor being connected to the first terminal of the H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95 .di.doc 8/06/99 10 other one of the first switch coupler or the load coupler, another terminal of the first switch coupler being connected to a first terminal of a second switch coupler, and another terminal of the second switch coupler being connected to a second terminal of the load coupler.

In order that the present invention may be more clearly ascertained, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first arrangement of S. a modular switching and lighting system in accordance with :to the invention; Figure 2, is an external plan view of a connection 15 module according to the present invention, for use in the 9 system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an internal plan view of the connection module of Figure 2 with the upper part of the module housing removed; 20 Figure 4 is a schematic wiring diagram for the connection unit of Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a schematic view of another arrangement of *0.0 a modular switching and lighting system in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is a schematic view of a further arrangement of a modular switching and lighting system in accordance with the invention; Figure 7 is a schematic view of yet another arrangement of a modular switching and lighting system in accordance with the invention; Figure 8 is an external plan view of a connection module for use in the system of Figure 7; Figure 9 is an internal plan view of the connection H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 11 module of Figure 8 with its upper housing part removed; Figure 10 is a schematic wiring diagram for the connection unit of Figures 8 and 9; and Figure 11 is a schematic view of a further arrangement of a modular switching and lighting system in accordance with the invention.

A modular switching and lighting system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 1 and includes at leat one connection module 10, at least one lighting fixture 20, at least one switch 30 and an electrical supply circuit which includes an input connector lead 40 and an output connector lead 50. The input connector lead 40 is connectable to the connection 15 module 10 by a socket connector 41 provided on an end of the input lead 40 and which is adapted to co-operate with a first power supply connector comprising power input connector 11 in the form of a complementary plug connector provided at one end of the connection module 10. The 20 output connector lead 50 is connectable to the connection module 10 by a plug connector 52 provided on an end of the output lead 50 and which is adapted to co-operate with a second power supply connector comprising power output connector 12 in the form of a complementary socket connector provided at the opposite end of the connection module On one side of the connection module 10 there is provided a switch coupler comprising switch outlet 13 in the form of a socket connection, and a load coupler comprising switched power outlet 14, also in the form of a socket connection.

The switch 30 is connectable to the switch outlet socket connection 13 by a switch lead 31 having a switch plug HA\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 12 connector 33 on the end of the switch lead 31 remote from the switch 30. The switch outlet socket connector 13 and the switch lead plug connector 33 are of complementary form with the switch lead plug connector being adapted to be received in the switch outlet socket 13.

The lighting fixture 20 comprises a lamp 21 held by a lamp holder 22 which is electrically connectable to the switched power outlet socket 14 of the connection module 10 by a lighting connector lead 23 having a lighting plug connector 24 on the end of the lighting connector lead 23 remote from the lamp holder 22 and lamp 21. The lighting plug connector 24 and the switched power outlet socket 14 are of complementary form with the lighting plug connector 24 15 being adapted to be received by the switched power outlet socket 14.

As shown in Figure 1, the various socket connectors 12, 13 and 14 of the connection module and the socket connector 41 20 are of similar shape and construction and the plug connectors 11, 24, 33 and 52 are also of similar form and *"construction for ease of manufacture.

The input and output connector leads 40 and 50 and their respective socket and plug connectors 41 and 52 form part of a flexible soft wiring system formed from a plurality of connector leads with plug and socket connectors similar to connectors 52 and 41 on opposite ends of each lead, one pair of leads being connected to an alternating current three-phase mains power supply, for instance by a starter socket adapted to receive a plug connector of one lead and a socket connector of another lead. The connector leads may be supplied in various lengths, and the plug and socket H:\ARymr\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 13 connectors of the leads preferably have a 20 A rating.

The basic modular switching and lighting system shown in Figure 1 therefore enables a lighting fixture 20 and an associated switch 30 for controlling the lighting fixture to be installed at any desired location in a building.

Also, the location of a lighting fixture and associated switch can be readily changed by disconnecting the lighting fixture 20, and its associated connection module 10 and switch 30 from the input and output connector leads 40 and and re-connecting the connection module at a different location between two other connector leads of the system.

The soft wiring system may also include power modules connectable between plug and socket connectors of connector 15 leads and which provide standard electrical socket outlets enabling electrical appliances to be connected to the soft wiring system at various locations in the system.

Referring more specifically to Figures 2 and 3 there is shown a connection module 100 of similar form to the connection module 10 of Figure 1 but which has a slightly different shape. The connection module 100 comprises a housing formed from an upper housing part 101 and a lower housing part 102. The housing parts are preferably formed as mouldings from plastics material having various internal walls and partitions. The housing 100 has a three-terminal power input plug connector 110 at one end, a three-terminal power output socket connector 120 at its other end and, extending from one side of the module 110, side extensions forming a switch outlet socket 130 and a switched power outlet socket 140.

The input terminal connector 110 has electrically H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Adrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 14 conductive active, neutral and earth pin terminals 111, 112 and 113 respectively. The terminals are preferably in the form of brass pins and are received in recesses between longitudinally extending internal partitions in an end extension 114 of the connection module housing. The pin terminals 111, 112 and 113 project out of the end extension 114 to form a three-pin plug connector 110.

The output socket terminal connector 120 comprises electrically conductive active, neutral and earth pinreceiving terminals 121, 122 and 123 respectively. Each of the pin-receiving terminals 121, 122 and 123 is in the form of a bifurcated bronze spring contact which terminates adjacent a respective aperture or recess 154, 155, 156 '15 provided in an internal wall 150 in a socket end extension 152 at the opposite end of the housing, the right hand end as seen in Figures 2 and 3. Each pin-receiving terminal 121, 122, 123 has a terminal head portion 124, 125, 126 and a pair of fork portions 127, 128, 129. Each pair of fork portions 127, 128 and 129 extends from the respective terminal head portion 124, 125, 126 with a gap between the fork portions which then taper inwardly to meet at a position adjacent a respective one of said recesses 154, 155, 156, with the ends each pair of the fork portions 127, 128, 129 extending away from each other to form a mouth for receiving a pin terminal of a complementary plug connector on a connector lead such as the lead 50 of Figure 1.

Each of the active, neutral and earth pin terminals 111, 112 and 113 is connected to a respective one of the active, neutral and earth pin-receiving terminals 121, 122 and 123 of the output socket connector 120 by respective active, neutral and earth brass bar conductors 161, 162 and 163 H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.9.div.doc 8/06/99 15 which extend longitudinally within the connection module housing 100. At an intermediate portion along each bar conductor 161, 162 and 163, there is provided a respective branch terminal 164, 165 and 166.

The switch outlet socket 130 is of similar form to the output socket connector 120, having three recesses 134, 135 and 136 in an internal wall or partition 137 in the side extension forming the switch outlet 130, but differs in that it has only two pin-receiving terminals 131 and 132.

The pin-receiving terminals 131 and 132 comprise bifurcated spring contacts of similar form to the pin-receiving terminals 121, 122 and 123, each of the mouths of the bifurcated pin-receiving terminals 131 and 132 terminating 15 adjacent a respective aperture or recess 134, 135.

The switched power outlet socket 140 is of similar form to the power output socket connector 120 having electrically conductive active, neutral and earth pin-receiving terminals 141, 142 and 143 respectively. Each of the pinreceiving terminals 141, 142 and 143 comprises a bifurcated spring contact of similar form to the contacts 121, 122 and 123 of the power output socket connector, with each of the bifurcated pin-receiving terminals 141, 142 and 143 terminating adjacent a respective aperture or recess 144, 145, 146 in an internal wall or partition 147 in the side extension forming the switched power outlet socket 140.

The internal circuit diagram for the connector module 100 is shown schematically in Figure 4 from which it will be seen that one of the pin-receiving terminals 131 of the switch socket 130 is connected to the intermediate branch terminal 164 of the active bar conductor 161, and the H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 16 neutral and earth pin-receiving terminals 142 and 143 of the switched power outlet socket 140 are respectively connected to the branch terminals 165 and 166 of the neutral and earth bar conductors 162 and 163. The connections between the branch terminals 164, 165 and 166 and the pin-receiving terminals 132, 142 and 143 are made by insulated, flexible copper wires 171, 172 and 173 respectively. The other pin-receiving terminal 132 of the switch outlet socket 130 is connected to the active pinreceiving terminal 141 of the switched power outlet socket 140 also by an insulated, flexible copper wire 170.

S: In use, the connection module 100 is connected to an electrical supply circuit, a lighting fixture or other electrical appliance and an electrical switch in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, with the switch being arranged to make or break electrical contact across the pin-receiving terminals 131 and 132 so that the operation of the lighting fixture or other electrical appliance can be controlled by *o 20 the switch.

Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, there is shown a e modified arrangement of a modular switching and lighting system which is similar to that of Figure 1, and corresponding reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts. The system of Figure 5 differs from that of Figure 1 in that a plurality of lighting fixtures 20b and 20c are cascaded from a single connection module 10 with operation of all of the lighting fixtures 20a, 20b and 20c being controlled by a single switch connected to the switch outlet socket 13 of the connection module 10 by switch connector lead 31 and switch plug connector 33. As shown in Figure 5, lighting fixture H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 17 is connected to the switched power outlet socket 14 of the connection module 10 by a first lighting connector lead 23 and lighting plug connector 24, and lighting fixture has a second lighting connector lead 25 with a lighting socket connector 26 on the end of connector lead 25 remote from the lighting fixture 20a. This enables the lighting fixture 20a to be connected to lighting fixture 20b which has a lighting connector lead 23b with lighting plug connector 24b that is adapted to co-operate with lighting socket connector 26. Lighting fixture 20b also has a second lighting connector lead 25b with a lighting socket connector 26b which enables a further lighting fixture having lighting connector lead 23c with lighting plug e ee connector 24c to be connected in series with lighting 15 fixtures 20a and 20b. In this manner, a plurality of lighting fixtures 20a, 20b and 20c may be controlled simultaneously by a single switch 30. The twenty Amp rating of the plug and socket connectors enables a large number of lamps to be cascaded from connection module provided that the total current drawn does not exceed 20 A.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, there is shown another alternative arrangement of a modular switching and lighting system which is similar to that of Figure 1, and corresponding reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts. The system of Figure 6 differs from that of Figure 1 in that two connection modules 10 are used to provide two-gang switching for respective lighting fixtures 20 from a two-gang switch unit 300.

The two-gang switch unit 300 has two switches 301 and 302 each of which has a respective switch connector lead 310, 312 and switch plug connector 330, 332. As shown in Figure H:\ARymer\Keep\speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 18 6, each of the switch plug connectors 330, 332 is connected to the switch outlet socket 13 of a respective one of the connection modules 10. Whilst Figure 6 shows that two connection modules may be connected together to provide two-gang switches, it will be appreciated that multiple gang switching, e.g. up to eighteen gang switches, may be provided by using an appropriate number of connection modules 10 connected together by the complementary plug and socket connections 11 and 12 of adjacent connection modules e Referring to Figure 7, there is shown another alternative S"arrangement of a modular switching and lighting system which uses a modified connection module 90 for providing S 15 two-way switching for a single lighting fixture 20 from individual two-way switches 30 and 70 at different locations. Otherwise, the system of Figure 7 is similar to that of Figure 1 and corresponding reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts.

•co• The connection module 90 is similar to the connection

S..

*"module 10 of Figure 1 in that it has a power input plug connector 91 and a power input socket connector 92 at opposite ends of the connection module housing and a switched power outlet socket 94 on one side of the housing, but instead of a single switch outlet socket, the connection module 90 has a first switch outlet socket 93 and a second switch outlet socket The first switch outlet socket 93 is adapted to receive a switch plug connector 33 on the end of a switch connector lead 31 connected to the first two-way switch 30, and the second switch outlet socket 95 is adapted to receive a H; ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 19 switch plug connector 75 on the end of a switch connector lead 72 connected to the second two-way switch 70. In the system arrangement of Figure 7, either one of the two-way switches 30 and 70 may be used to control the supply of electrical power to the light fixture Referring to Figures 8 and 9, there is shown a modified connection module 200 similar to the connection module which can be used in the modular switching and lighting system of Figure 7. The connection module 200 is of similar construction to the connection module 100 of Figures 2 and 3 and corresponding reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts. The connection module 200 differs from the connection module 100 in that instead 15 of having a single switch outlet socket 130, it has first and second switch outlet sockets 230 and 250 respectively.

Thus, the connection module has a power input plug connector 110 with active, neutral and earth connectors 111, 112 and 113 respectively, a power output socket 0o*o connector 120 with active, neutral and earth pin-receiving terminals 121, 122 and 123 respectively, and a switched power outlet socket 140 with active, neutral and earth pinreceiving terminals 141, 142 and 143 respectively.

The first switch outlet 230 differs from the switch outlet 130 of Figures 2 and 3 in that it has three pin-receiving terminals 231, 232 and 233 each of which terminates adjacent a respective recess 234, 235 or 236 in an internal wall or partition 237 within the socket 230. The second switch outlet socket 250 is of similar form having three pin-receiving terminals 251, 252 and 253, each of which terminates adjacent a respective recess or aperture 254, 255 or 256 in an internal wall or partition 257 of the H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.9 5 .div.doc 8/06/99 20 socket 250.

The internal wiring of the connection module 200 is shown in Figure 9 and also diagrammatically in Figure 10. A first pin-receiving terminal 231 of the first switch outlet socket 230 is connected by an insulated flexible copper wire 271 to the active branch terminal 164, and the neutral and earth pin-receiving terminals 142 and 143 of the switched power outlet socket 140 are connected respectively to the neutral and earth branch terminals 165 and 166 by insulated flexible copper wires 172 and 173 respectively.

The active pin-receiving terminal 141 of the switched power outlet socket 140 is connected by an insulated flexible copper wire 270 to a first pin-receiving terminal 251 of 15 the second switch outlet socket 250. The second and third 'terminals 232 and 233 of the first switch outlet socket 230 are respectively connected to the second and third pinreceiving terminals 252 and 253 of the second switch outlet socket by insulated flexible copper wires 272 and 273 20 respectively.

In use, first and second two-way switches 30 and 70 as shown in Figure 7 are respectively connected to the first and second switch outlet sockets 230 and 250 of connection module 200 by switch connector leads 31 and 72 and threepin switch plug connectors 33 and 75. A lighting circuit including at least one lighting fixture 20 is connected to the switched power outlet 140 by lighting connector lead 23 and three-pin lighting plug connector 24. With this arrangement, either of the two-way switches 30 or 70 can be used to switch the lamp 21 of lighting fixture 20 on or off.

H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci \Andrew\40717 .95 .div.doc 8/06/99 21 Referring to Figure 11 there is shown a further arrangement of a switching and lighting system in accordance with the invention which is similar to the arrangement of Figure 7, and corresponding reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts. The system of Figure 11 differs from that of Figure 7 in that a further switch 80 is connected to the second switch 70. The further switch 80 is provided at one end of a further switch connector lead 83 with a switch plug connector 87 provided on the end of the connector lead 83 remote from the switch 80. The switch has a second switch connector lead 73 extending therefrom and a switch socket connector 77 is provided on the end of the switch connector lead 73 remote from the switch e:o.

The switch plug and socket connectors 87 and 77 are 15 connectable together to connect the further switch 80 to the second switch 70 so that control of the lighting device can be controlled from any one of switches 30, 70 and Whilst the various arrangements of power supply and switching systems described above with reference to the drawings are switching and lighting systems, it will be appreciated that the lighting devices 20 can be replaced by electrical fans or other electrical appliances to be controlled by the switches 30, 301, 302, 70 and The present invention therefore provides a versatile and flexible power supply and switching system for lighting circuits and other electrical appliances which by the use of connection modules and connection leads with plug and socket connectors can be used in a wide variety of different switching and circuit arrangements.

H: \ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\ 40717.95. div.doc 8/06/99 22 It will be appreciated that various modifications and alterations to the arrangements of power supply and switching systems described above may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For instance, the number and arrangement of lighting devices 20 or other electrical appliances and the number and arrangement of switches may be varied for different applications.

f **5e ft ft f H: \ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\4 77 .95.div.doc 8/06/99

Claims (19)

1. An electrical power distribution and switching system for electric lights, electrical appliances or other electrical loads, including a connection module connectable in an electrical power supply circuit, said circuit formed by a plurality of connector leads having co-operating plug and socket connectors, the connection module having a load coupler, and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, whereby said switch is locatable independently of said switch coupler, and wherein the connection module has first and second power supply connectors in the form of plug and/or socket connectors for 15 connecting with complementary socket and/or plug connectors on the ends of said connector leads of the power supply circuit. *S

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load coupler is in the form of a socket or plug connector adapted to co-operate with a complementary plug or socket connector on one end of an appliance connection lead.

3. A system as claimed in either claim 1 or 2, wherein said switch coupler is in the form of a socket or plug connector for co-operating with a complementary plug or socket connector on one end of a switch connection lead, the other end of which is connectable to said switch.

4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including either a light or other electrical appliance connected to said power coupler or, a plurality of lights or other electrical appliances connected in series to the H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 24 power coupler. A system as claimed in claim 4, including an intermediate electric light or other electrical appliance connectable to the load coupler by an appliance input connection lead, and to another electric light or other electrical appliance by an appliance output connection lead.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the appliance input and output connection leads have complementary plug and socket connectors thereon.

7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, w C 15 wherein said connection module has a plurality of switch couplers releasably connectable to corresponding switches, whereby, when respective switches are connected to the CC: switch couplers, the supply of electrical power to an appliance connected to the load coupler can be controlled 20 by any one of the switches connected to the switch couplers.

8. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said module includes a plurality of load couplers switchable by said switch.

9. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said module includes a plurality of switch couplers and a plurality of load couplers. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including said switch or switches. H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 25

11. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a plurality of connection modules.

12. A connection module for use in a modular electrical power distribution and switching system, including first and second power supply connectors, a load coupler connectable to an electric light or other electrical appliance, and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, said switch locatable independently of said switch coupler, wherein the first and second power supply connectors comprise complementary plug and socket connectors. 15 13. A connection module as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first and second power supply connectors include respective sets of two or more electrical terminals connected by electrical conductors. .20 14. A connection module as claimed in either claim 12 or 13, wherein said first and second power supply connectors are provided at opposite ends of said connection module. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the load coupler and said switch coupler each includes a set of two or more terminals, each terminal being connected electrically either to one of the electrical conductors or to a terminal of the other of said couplers.

16. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein active and neutral electrical conductors extend between the first and second power supply H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 26 connectors, and one of the switch coupler and load coupler has a first terminal connected to the active conductor and the other of said couplers has a first terminal connected to the neutral conductor, the switch coupler and load coupler both having second terminals connected to each other.

17. A connection module as claimed in claim 16, wherein an earth conductor extends between the first and second power supply connectors, and the load coupler has an earth terminal connected to the earth conductor.

18. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 12 .to 20, wherein the connection module has a plurality of 15 switch couplers whereby, when switches are connected Srespectively to each of the switch couplers, the supply of electric power to an appliance connected to the switched power outlet can be controlled by any one of the switches connected to the switch couplers.

19. A connection module as claimed in claim 18, wherein active and neutral conductors extend between the first and Csecond power supply connectors, the active conductor being connected to a first terminal either of the load coupler or of a first one of the switch couplers, the neutral conductor being connected to the first terminal of the other one of the first switch coupler or the load coupler, another terminal of the first switch coupler being connected to a first terminal of a second switch coupler, and another terminal of the second switch coupler being connected to a second terminal of the load coupler. A connection module as claimed in claim 19, wherein a H:\ARymer\Keep\specj\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 27 third terminal of the first switch coupler is connected to a third terminal of the second switch coupler.

21. A connection module as claimed in either claim 19 or claim 20, including an earth conductor extending between the first and second power supply connectors, and the load coupler has an earth terminal connected to the earth conductor.

22. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein one of the first and second power supply connectors has terminals in the form of pin connectors and the other of the power input and power output connectors has terminals in the form of pin-receiving terminals 15 adapted to receive pin terminals of a plug connector of a connector lead, or of another similar connection module.

23. A connection module as claimed in any of claims 12 to 21, wherein the load coupler has pin terminals or pin- 20 receiving terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on an appliance connection lead.

424. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 23, wherein each of the switch coupler or switch couplers has pin terminals or pin-receiving terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on a switch connection lead. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the pin-receiving terminals comprise bifurcated spring contacts each having a pair of fork H: \ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\4

0717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 28 portion extending from a terminal head portion. 26. A connection module for use in a modular electrical power distribution and switching system, including first and second power supply connectors, a load coupler connectable to an electric light or other electrical appliance, and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, said switch locatable independently of said switch coupler, wherein one of the first and second power supply connectors has terminals in the form of pin connectors and the other of the power input and power output connectors has terminals in the form of pin- receiving terminals adapted to receive pin terminals of a 15 plug connector of a connector lead, or of another similar ^connection module. 27. A connection module as claimed in claim 26, wherein the load coupler has pin terminals or pin-receiving 20 terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on an appliance connection lead. 28. A connection module as claimed in either claim 26 or 27, wherein the switch coupler or couplers has pin terminals or pin-receiving terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on a switch connection lead. 29. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the pin-receiving terminals comprise bifurcated spring contacts each having a pair of fork portion extending from a terminal head portion. H:\ARymer\Kep\peci\Andrew\4 7 0 7 95.div.doc 8/06/99 29 An electrical power distribution and switching system including an electrical power supply circuit including a plurality of connector leads, at least one connection module in accordance with any one of claims 12 to 30, at least one electric light or other electrical appliance connectable with the load coupler of the connection module and at least one switch releasably connectable to and locatable independently of the switch coupler or couplers of the connection module. 31. An electrical power distribution and switching system for electric lights, electrical appliances or other electrical loads including a connection module connectable 15 in an electrical power supply circuit, said circuit formed by a plurality of connector leads having co-operating plug and socket connectors, the connection module having a load coupler and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, whereby said switch is locatable independently of said switch coupler, and wherein said switch coupler is in the form of a socket or plug connector for co-operating with a complementary plug or socket connector on one end of a switch connection lead, the other end of which is connected to said switch. 32. A system as claimed in claim 31, including either a light or other electrical appliance connectable to said power coupler or, a plurality of lights or other electrical appliances connected in series to the power coupler. 33. A system as claimed in claim 32, including an intermediate electric light or other electrical appliance H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95,div doc 8/06/99 30 connected to the load coupler by an appliance input connection lead, and to another electric light or other electrical appliance by an appliance output connection lead. 34. A system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the appliance input and output connection leads have complementary plug and socket connectors thereon. 35. A system as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein said connection module has a plurality of switch couplers and corresponding switches, whereby, when respective switches are connected to the switch couplers, the supply of electrical power to an appliance connected to 15 the load coupler can be controlled by any one of the switches connected to the switch couplers. S 36. A system as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein said module includes a plurality of load couplers switchable by said switch. C 37. A system as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein said module includes a plurality of switch couplers and a plurality of load couplers. 38. A system as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 37, including a plurality of connection modules. 39. A connection module for use in a modular electrical power distribution and switching system, including first and second power supply connectors, a load coupler connectable to an electric light or other electrical appliance, and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717. 95.div.doc 8/06/99 31 switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, said switch locatable independently of said switch coupler, wherein the switch coupler or couplers have pin terminals or pin-receiving terminals for co- operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on a switch connection lead. A connection module as claimed in claim 39, wherein the pin-receiving terminals comprise bifurcated spring contacts each having a pair of fork portion extending from a terminal head portion. 41. An electrical power distribution and switching system 15 including an electrical power supply circuit including a plurality of connector leads, at least one connection module in accordance with either claim 39 or 40, at least one electric light or other electrical appliance connectable with the load coupler of the connection module 0:.:I0 20 and at least one switch releasably connectable to and locatable independently of the switch coupler or couplers of the connection module. 42. An electrical power distribution and switching system for electric lights, electrical appliances or other electrical loads including a connection module connectable in an electrical power supply circuit, said circuit formed by a plurality of connector leads having co-operating plug and socket connectors, the connection module having a load coupler and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, whereby said switch is locatable independently of said switch coupler, and an intermediate H: ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 32 electric light or other electrical appliance connectable to the load coupler by an appliance input connection lead, and to another electric light or other electrical appliance by an appliance output connection lead. 43. A system as claimed in claim 42, wherein the appliance input and output connection leads have complementary plug and socket connectors thereon. 44. A system as claimed in either claim 42 or 43, wherein said connection module has a plurality of switch couplers and corresponding switches, whereby, when respective switches are connected to the switch couplers, the supply of electrical power to an appliance connected to the load 15 coupler can be controlled by any one of the switches •connected to the switch couplers. 45. A system as claimed in either claim 42 or 43, wherein said module includes a plurality of load couplers switchable by said switch. 46. A system as claimed in either claim 42 or 43, wherein said module includes a plurality of switch couplers and a plurality of load couplers. 47. A system as claimed in claim 42, wherein said connection module has first and second power supply connectors. 48. A system as claimed in claim 47, wherein said first and second power supply connectors comprise complementary plug and socket connectors. H:\ARyner\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 33 49. A system as claimed in either claim 47 or 48, wherein the first and second power supply connectors include respective sets of two or more electrical terminals and connected by electrical conductors. A system as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein said first and second power supply connectors are provided at opposite ends of said connection module. 51. A system as claimed in any one of claims 47 to wherein said load coupler and said switch coupler each includes a set of two or more terminals, each terminal being connected electrically either to one of the electrical conductors or to a terminal of the other of said 15 couplers. 52. A system as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 51, wherein active and neutral electrical conductors extend between the first and second power supply connectors, and 20 one of the switch coupler and load coupler has a first aterminal connected to the active conductor and the other of said couplers has a first terminal connected to the neutral conductor, the switch coupler and load coupler both having second terminals connected to each other. 53. A system as claimed in claim 52, wherein an earth conductor extends between the first and second power supply connectors, and the load coupler has an earth terminal connected to the earth conductor. 54. A system as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 53, wherein the connection module has a plurality of switch couplers whereby, when switches are connected respectively H:\A\ymer\Keep\Speci\Adre\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 34 to each of the switch couplers, the supply of electric power to an appliance connected to the switched power outlet can be controlled by any one of the switches connected to the switch couplers. A system as claimed in claim 54, wherein active and neutral conductors extend between the first and second power supply connectors, the active conductor being connected to a first terminal either of the load coupler or of a first one of the switch couplers, the neutral conductor being connected to the first terminal of the other one of the first switch coupler or the load coupler, another terminal of the first switch coupler being connected to a first terminal of a second switch coupler, and another terminal of the second switch coupler being S" connected to a second terminal of the load coupler. 56. A system as claimed in claim 55, wherein a third terminal of the first switch coupler is connected to a third terminal of the second switch coupler. 57. A system as claimed in either claim 55 or 56, including an earth conductor extending between the first and second power supply connectors, and the load coupler has an earth terminal connected to the earth conductor. 58. A system as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 57, wherein one of the first and second power supply connectors has terminals in the form of pin connectors and the other of the power input and power output connectors has terminals in the form of pin-receiving terminals adapted to receive pin terminals of a plug connector of a connector lead, or of another similar connection module. H:\ARymer\Keep\SpeC1\Andrew\40717.9.div.doc 8/06/99 35 59. A system as claimed in any of claims 47 to 57, wherein the load coupler has pin terminals or pin-receiving terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on an appliance connection lead. A system as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 59, wherein each of the switch coupler or switch couplers has pin terminals or pin-receiving terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on a switch Sconnection lead. 15 61. A system as claimed in any one of claims 58 to wherein the pin-receiving terminals comprise bifurcated spring contacts each having a pair of fork portion G 0 extending from a terminal head portion. *•e 62. A system as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 61, •including a plurality of said connection modules. 63. A connection module for use in a modular electrical power distribution and switching system, including first and second power supply connectors, a load coupler connectable to an electric light or other electrical appliance, and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, whereby said switch is locatable independently of said switch coupler, and wherein active and neutral electrical conductors extend between the first and second power supply connectors, and one of the switch coupler and load coupler has a first terminal connected to H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717 .95.div.doc 8/06/99 36 the active conductor and the other of said couplers has a first terminal connected to the neutral conductor, the switch coupler and load coupler both having second terminals connected to each other. 64. A connection module as claimed in claim 63, wherein an earth conductor extends between the first and second power supply connectors, and the load coupler has an earth terminal connected to the earth conductor. A connection module as claimed in either claim 63 or 64, wherein the connection module has a plurality of switch couplers whereby, when switches are connected respectively to each of the switch couplers, the supply of electric power to an appliance connected to the switched power outlet can be controlled by any one of the switches connected to the switch couplers. 66. A connection module as claimed in claim 65, wherein active and neutral conductors extend between the first and second power supply connectors, the active conductor being eeo. connected to a first terminal either of the load coupler or of a first one of the switch couplers, the neutral conductor being connected to the first terminal of the other one of the first switch coupler or the load coupler, another terminal of the first switch coupler being connected to a first terminal of a second switch coupler, and another terminal of the second switch coupler being connected to a second terminal of the load coupler. 67. A connection module as claimed in claim 66, wherein a third terminal of the first switch coupler is connected to a third terminal of the second switch coupler. H:\Afymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 37 68. A connection module as claimed in either claim 66 or 67, including an earth conductor extending between the first and second power supply connectors, and the load coupler has an earth terminal connected to the earth conductor. 69. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 68, wherein one of the first and second power supply connectors has terminals in the form of pin connectors and the other of the power input and power output connectors has terminals in the form of pin-receiving terminals S. adapted to receive pin terminals of a plug connector of a connector lead, or of another similar connection module. 70. A connection module as claimed in any of claims 63 to 68, wherein the load coupler has pin terminals or pin- S.receiving terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on an appliance connection lead. 71. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 70, wherein the switch coupler or couplers has pin terminals or pin-receiving terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on a switch connection lead. 72. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 69 to 71, wherein the pin-receiving terminals comprise bifurcated spring contacts each having a pair of fork portion extending from a terminal head portion. 73. A connection module for use in a modular electrical H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717 .95.div.doc 8/06/99 38 power distribution and switching system, including first and second power supply connectors, a load coupler connectable to an electric light or other electrical appliance, and a switch coupler releasably connectable to a switch for controlling the supply of electrical power to the load coupler, said switch locatable independently of said switch coupler, wherein the connection module has a plurality of switch couplers whereby, when switches are connected respectively to each of the switch couplers, the supply of electric power to an appliance connected to the switched power outlet can be controlled by any one of the switches connected to the switch couplers, and wherein active and neutral conductors extend between the first and second power supply connectors, the active conductor being connected to a first terminal either of the load coupler or of a first one of the switch couplers, the neutral conductor being connected to the first terminal of the other one of the first switch coupler or the load coupler, 00 another terminal of the first switch coupler being connected to a first terminal of a second switch coupler, *and another terminal of the second switch coupler being connected to a second terminal of the load coupler. 74. A connection module as claimed in claim 73, wherein a third terminal of the first switch coupler is connected to a third terminal of the second switch coupler. A connection module as claimed in either claim 73 or 74, including an earth conductor extending between the first and second power supply connectors, and the load coupler has an earth terminal connected to the earth conductor. H:\ARymer\Keep\Specj\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99 39 76. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 73 to 75, wherein one of the first and second power supply connectors has terminals in the form of pin connectors and the other of the power input and power output connectors has terminals in the form of pin-receiving terminals adapted to receive pin terminals of a plug connector of a connector lead, or of another similar connection module. 77. A connection module as claimed in any of claims 73 to 75, wherein the load coupler has pin terminals or pin- receiving terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on an appliance connection lead. 78. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 73 to 77, wherein each of said switch coupler or switch couplers has pin terminals or pin-receiving terminals for co-operation with pin-receiving terminals or pin terminals of a complementary socket or plug connector on a switch connection lead. 79. A connection module as claimed in any one of claims 76 to 78, wherein the pin-receiving terminals comprise bifurcated spring contacts each having a pair of fork portion extending from a terminal head portion. An electrical power distribution and switching system including an electrical power supply circuit including a plurality of connector leads, at least one connection module in accordance with any one of claims 73 to 79, at least one electric light or other electrical appliance connectable with the load coupler of the connection module and at least one switch releasably connectable to and H:\ARymer\Keep\Speci\Afdrew\40717 .95.div.doc 8/06/99 40 locatable independently of the switch coupler or couplers of the connection module. 81. An electrical power distribution and switching system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 4 or to figure 5 or to figure 6 or to figures 7 to 10 or to figure 11 of the accompanying drawings. 82. A connection module substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 4 or to figure or to figure 6 or to figures 7 to 10 or to figure 11 of the accompanying drawings. S Dated this 8th Day of June 1999 GREENSHELL PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia H:\ARyner\Keep\Speci\Andrew\40717.95.div.doc 8/06/99