Modular overhead lighting system

A modular lighting apparatus, comprising:

• a raceway element comprising a left raceway wall, a right raceway wall opposing the left raceway wall, an upper raceway wall spanning generally between the left raceway wall and the right raceway wall, a plurality of electrical conductors, and a first mechanical coupling structure;
• wherein at least a portion of the left raceway wall and at least a portion of the right raceway wall extend downward relative to the upper raceway wall;
• and
• a lighting module comprising:
• a housing comprising a left housing wall, a right housing wall opposing the left housing wall, a transverse support arranged between the left housing wall and the right housing wall, and a second mechanical coupling structure configured to mate with the first mechanical coupling structure for removable attachment of the housing to the raceway element;
• at least one light-emitting element supported by the housing;
• and
• an electrical interconnect structure providing a plurality of electrical connections between the lighting module and the raceway element;
• wherein the lighting module is configured for mechanical and electrical coupling to the raceway element at any one module position of a plurality of module positions, wherein the plurality of module positions includes first and second module positions that overlap with one another.

An electrical connector for establishing electrical connections between a raceway element and a light fixture, the electrical connector comprising:

• a base portion;
• a plurality of ridges extending upwardly from the base portion and a plurality of electrical contacts associated with the plurality of ridges, wherein each ridge of the plurality of ridges comprises an insulating material and comprises a different electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts, and each electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts is configured to contact a different electrical conductor of a plurality of electrical conductors of the raceway element;
• and
• a plurality of terminals defined in or on the base portion and configured to receive a plurality of electrical wires from the light fixture, wherein each terminal of the plurality of terminals is in conductive electrical communication with a different electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts, and each terminal of the plurality of terminals is configured to removably receive a different electrical wire of the plurality of electrical wires;
• wherein the electrical connector is configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the raceway element upon vertical translation of the electrical connector into at least a portion of the raceway element.