Distribution Networks For Safety Sensors and Devices

A distribution box for collecting signals from one or more safety sensors comprising:

• (a) a housing having a plurality of electrical connector halves, each connector half presenting first and second input connections, first and second output connections, a status connection and a voltage connection,
• (b) a signal cable extending from the housing for communicating with a remote device and including safety signal conductors and status signal conductors wherein the safety signal conductors join the connector halves in series from a first connector half to a last connector half so that first and second output connections of connector halves are coupled to the first and second input connections of a next connector half, respectively, until reaching the last connector half, and wherein the status signal conductors pass separately one to each status connection of each connector half separate from the status connection of any other connector half;
• and
• (c) a shorting plug adapted to be releasably received by a connector half, wherein the shorting plug couples the first and second input connections of a connector half to the first and second output connections of the connector half, respectively, and couples the status connection of the connector half to the voltage connection of the connector half when the shorting plug is releasably received by a connector half;
• wherein each connector half is adapted to either releasably receive a shorting plug, or couple to a safety sensor providing electrical continuity between the first and second input connections of the connector half and the first and second output connections of the connector half, respectively, indicating a valid condition.