GB2463063A - A modular marshalling system - Google Patents

A modular marshalling system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2463063A
GB2463063A GB0815867A GB0815867A GB2463063A GB 2463063 A GB2463063 A GB 2463063A GB 0815867 A GB0815867 A GB 0815867A GB 0815867 A GB0815867 A GB 0815867A GB 2463063 A GB2463063 A GB 2463063A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
marshalling
port
extension device
extension
connection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0815867A
Other versions
GB2463063B (en
GB0815867D0 (en
Inventor
Paul Mans
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CP Electronics Ltd
Original Assignee
CP Electronics Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CP Electronics Ltd filed Critical CP Electronics Ltd
Priority to GB0815867.7A priority Critical patent/GB2463063B/en
Publication of GB0815867D0 publication Critical patent/GB0815867D0/en
Priority to EP09168977.8A priority patent/EP2160077B1/en
Publication of GB2463063A publication Critical patent/GB2463063A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2463063B publication Critical patent/GB2463063B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H01R25/003—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
    • H01R31/02—Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
    • H01R9/22—Bases, e.g. strip, block, panel
    • H01R9/24—Terminal blocks
    • H01R9/2408—Modular blocks

Landscapes

  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
  • Programmable Controllers (AREA)

Abstract

An expandable system for controlling electrical appliances. The system comprises: a marshalling device which comprises an input port 'A' connectable to at least one output port 'B' and to at least one connection port 'C'; and an extension device which comprises at least one output port and a connection port, wherein, in use, the extension device is connected to the marshalling device through the connection ports such that the output port of the extension device is connectable to the input port of the marshalling device. The extension device may have a second connection port enabling a second extension device to be connected to increase the number of output port provided. A control module may be connected to either the marshalling device or the extension device for controlling the flow of power from the input to at least one of the output connectors 'B'. The system may be a lighting control system and the control module may comprise a switch and generate a dimming signal.

Description

Modular Marshalling System
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system for controlling electrical appliances.
Background to the Invention
There is an increasing trend in the building and construction industry to reduce the amount of labour required on site by the use of pre-fabricated materials, generally made of site in a factory. Specifically in the electrical industry, luminaires or light fittings are commonly pre-wired with a cable or lead having a plug on the end. This plug is then inserted into a corresponding port in a "marshalling box". The marshalling box has many such ports, and is also connected to mains electricity, switches, automatic presence detectors etc, and is used to switch the luminaires. Increasing use of dimming luminaires also lends itself to the use of marshalling boxes, whereby the dimming signals are also distributed using the plug and socket arrangement.
One of the drawbacks with currently available marshalling boxes is that they have a fixed number of ports. The implications of this are that the installation needs to be accurately estimated in advance so that the correct size of box can be procured; additional luminaires cannot be added at a later stage if all of the ports have been used up; the manufacturer and stockist of the marshalling boxes have to have many different models in stock to suit different sizes of installation.
This invention describes a new form of modular marshalling system whereby the marshalling box can be scaled to the size of the installation.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, this invention provides a system for controlling electrical appliances. The system comprises: a marshalling device which comprises an input port connectable to at least one output port and to at least one connection port; and an extension device which comprises at least one output port and a connection port, wherein, in use, the extension device is connected to the marshalling device through the connection ports such that the output port of the extension device is connectable to the input port of the marshalling device.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments
This invention consists of a starter unit and an extension unit.
Referring to diagram 1, the starter unit has a wiring compartment (A) with a number of screw terminals. The installer wires a fixed mains supply into this unit, together with any necessary switches. A cable clamping arrangement secures the cable into the wiring compartment and a cover is fitted over the compartment. The luminaires are plugged into the output ports (B) -the diagram shows four ports, but there could be any number. The connection port (C) allows either an extension unit or a connection plug to be connected.
The extension unit plugs into the connection port and provides a further number of output ports for luminaire connection. The fixing clips (D) provide a method for a tight mechanical coupling between the starter and extension units. The connection port continues the wiring from the wiring compartment directly to the newly introduced extension unit.
The connection plugs allows an installer to pre-wire switches, presence detectors or other peripherals, and then plug the peripherals into the starter unit or extension unit. When the desired number of output ports has been achieved, the connection plug simply plugs into the last remaining connection port.
Using the combination of starter unit and extension unit allows the installer to customise the number of output ports in the installation whilst only ever carrying to parts. If at a later stage more luminaires are added, then further extension units can be added without re-wiring the system.
The use of the connection plug, fitted into the last connection port of the system means that there are no wasted connectors, and that the installer has the ability to plug in peripherals. Other available systems would have a fixed connection point on each marshalling box.
Diagram 2 shows a similar unit suitable for dimming systems. Instead of a four pole output connector, there is a six pole connector for carrying dimming signals. Further there are more input connections to connect the dimming source.

Claims (10)

  1. Claims 1. A system for controlling electrical appliances, the system comprising: a marshalling device which comprises an input port connectable to at least one output port and to at least one connection port; and an extension device which comprises at least one output port and a connection port, wherein, in use, the extension device is connected to the marshalling device through the connection ports such that the output port of the extension device is connectable to the input port of the marshalling device.
  2. 2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extension device comprises at least one further connection port.
  3. 3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the further connection port of the extension device is suitable for connecting a second extension device such that the output port of the second extension device is connectable to at least one input port of the marshalling device.
  4. 4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, the system further comprising: a control device which comprises at least one connection port, wherein, in use, the control device is connected to the marshalling device or an extension device through the connection ports such that the control device controls the flow of power from at least one input port to at least one output port.
  5. 5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control device comprises a switch.
  6. 6. A system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the control device is configured to generate a dimming signal.
  7. 7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the input port is located within a wiring compartment of the marshalling device.
  8. 8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system is a lighting controller.
  9. 9. A marshalling device suitable for use in the system of any preceding claim.
  10. 10. An extension device suitable for use in the system of any of claims 1 to 8.
GB0815867.7A 2008-09-01 2008-09-01 Modular marshalling system Active GB2463063B (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0815867.7A GB2463063B (en) 2008-09-01 2008-09-01 Modular marshalling system
EP09168977.8A EP2160077B1 (en) 2008-09-01 2009-08-28 Modular marshalling system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0815867.7A GB2463063B (en) 2008-09-01 2008-09-01 Modular marshalling system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0815867D0 GB0815867D0 (en) 2008-10-08
GB2463063A true GB2463063A (en) 2010-03-03
GB2463063B GB2463063B (en) 2012-02-01

Family

ID=39866037

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0815867.7A Active GB2463063B (en) 2008-09-01 2008-09-01 Modular marshalling system

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2160077B1 (en)
GB (1) GB2463063B (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2517214A (en) * 2013-08-16 2015-02-18 Cp Electronics Ltd Lighting control module
PL127248U1 (en) * 2018-04-13 2019-10-21 Hlt Spółka Z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością Power supply distributor

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2066166A1 (en) * 1990-08-14 1992-02-15 Rudolf Schmid Electrical connector arrangement for mains connection
US5621282A (en) * 1995-04-10 1997-04-15 Haskell; Walter Programmable distributively controlled lighting system
EP1075066A1 (en) * 1999-07-28 2001-02-07 All-Line Inc. Serializable power receiver/supply unit
GB2376135A (en) * 2001-05-30 2002-12-04 Veronica Chapman Extendable mains power feeding system
US20030185003A1 (en) * 2002-03-27 2003-10-02 Laukhuf Gregg E Overhead lighting splitter
US20060164834A1 (en) * 2005-01-21 2006-07-27 Fang-Cheng Kao Power distributor for christmas tree

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2435131A (en) * 2006-02-09 2007-08-15 John David Hopper Modular wiring system
US7734572B2 (en) * 2006-04-04 2010-06-08 Panduit Corp. Building automation system controller
JP2009534786A (en) * 2006-04-21 2009-09-24 ティーアイアール テクノロジー エルピー Integrated power and control unit for solid state lighting

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2066166A1 (en) * 1990-08-14 1992-02-15 Rudolf Schmid Electrical connector arrangement for mains connection
US5621282A (en) * 1995-04-10 1997-04-15 Haskell; Walter Programmable distributively controlled lighting system
EP1075066A1 (en) * 1999-07-28 2001-02-07 All-Line Inc. Serializable power receiver/supply unit
GB2376135A (en) * 2001-05-30 2002-12-04 Veronica Chapman Extendable mains power feeding system
US20030185003A1 (en) * 2002-03-27 2003-10-02 Laukhuf Gregg E Overhead lighting splitter
US20060164834A1 (en) * 2005-01-21 2006-07-27 Fang-Cheng Kao Power distributor for christmas tree

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2517214A (en) * 2013-08-16 2015-02-18 Cp Electronics Ltd Lighting control module
GB2517214B (en) * 2013-08-16 2016-04-20 Cp Electronics Ltd Lighting control module
PL127248U1 (en) * 2018-04-13 2019-10-21 Hlt Spółka Z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością Power supply distributor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2160077A3 (en) 2016-07-06
GB2463063B (en) 2012-02-01
GB0815867D0 (en) 2008-10-08
EP2160077A2 (en) 2010-03-03
EP2160077B1 (en) 2020-02-12

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