Raceway IDC Connector

A method for connecting a plurality of wires, comprising:

• laying a plurality of wires in a first housing having a plurality of areas for receiving a first plurality of wires,
• placing a plurality of insulation displacement contacts between the first housing and a second housing, wherein a portion of each insulation displacement contact protrudes into each of the first and second housings,
• coupling the first housing to a second housing,
• wherein the second housing has a plurality of areas for receiving a second plurality of wires, and
• wherein the number of areas for receiving the first plurality of wires is equal to the number of areas for receiving the second plurality of wires, and
• coupling a cover for covering an open area of the first housing to the first housing to cause the plurality of insulation displacement contacts to pierce the insulation of the first plurality of wires and to make electrical contact with conductors of the first plurality of wires,
• selecting the size of the first and second housings so that the insulation displacement contact connector is securely retained when inserted into a standard electrical raceway.

An insulation displacement contact connector, comprising:

• a first housing having a plurality of areas for receiving a first plurality of wires,
• a cover for covering an open area of the first housing,
• a second housing having a plurality of areas for receiving a second plurality of wires,
• at least one cover for covering at least one open area of the second housing,
• wherein the at least one cover for covering an open area of the second housing comprises a plurality of covers,
• wherein the number of covers is equal to the number of areas for receiving the second plurality of wires, and
• wherein the at least one cover for covering an open area of the second housing is coupled to the second housing by at least one retaining clip,
• a plurality of insulation displacement contacts located between the first and second housing, wherein a portion of each insulation displacement contact protrudes into each of the first and second housings,
• a plurality of tabs located in a plurality of apertures for receiving the second plurality of wires,
• wherein the tabs are composed of plastic,
• wherein a thickness of the tabs is chosen so that the tabs may be crushed by the second plurality of wires located in the apertures located on a second side of the second housing when the at least one cover of the second housing is coupled to the second housing,
• a plurality of covers for covering at least one open area of the second housing, wherein the plurality of covers for covering at least one open area of the second housing are attached to the second housing by a flexible plastic hinge,
• wherein the first housing is coupled to the second housing,
• wherein the number of areas for receiving the first plurality of wires is equal to the number of areas for receiving the second plurality of wires,
• wherein the size of the first and second housings are chosen so that the insulation displacement contact connector is securely retained when inserted into a standard electrical raceway, and
• wherein the insulation displacement contacts are staggered in relation to a side of the first or second housings not having apertures, and
• wherein the tabs are composed of plastic,
• wherein tabs are crushed by the first plurality of wires located in the apertures located on a second side of the second housing when the at least one cover of the second housing is coupled to the second housing.