Auto-extending/retracting electrically isolated conductors in a segmented drill string

A drill string, comprising:

• a plurality of pipe sections each of which includes a section length defining an innermost passage between opposing first and second ends of each pipe section that are removably connectable with other ones of the pipe sections to form a length of the drill string;
• an electrical contacting arrangement for forming an isolated electrical connection between attached ones of the pipe sections and installed in the innermost passage at each opposing end of each pipe section;
• and
• an electrically conductive arrangement located in the innermost passage of each pipe section and in electrical communication with said electrical contacting arrangement at each opposing end of each pipe section to extend therebetween in a way which provides an electrically conductive path that is arranged against the inner wall of the innermost passage of each pipe section to form an electrically isolated conductive path through each pipe section, such that attached ones of the pipe sections form an overall electrically isolated path as part of said drill string.