Connectors for smart windows

An electrical connection system of an insulated glass unit comprising an optical device requiring electrical powering, the electrical connection system comprising:

• a. a ribbon cable embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit and configured to supply electricity to the optical device;
• b. one or more pin sockets, also in the secondary seal, and in electrical communication with the ribbon cable, said one or more pin sockets configured in redundant form, each of the one or more pin sockets having the same electrical communication capability with the optical device;
• and
• c. a pin connector configured to mate with each of the one or more pin sockets and deliver electricity to the optical device.

A method of fabricating an IGU, the method comprising:

• a. registering a pre-wired spacer to a first lite comprising an optical device;
• b. registering a second lite with the pre-wired spacer and the first lite, wherein the second lite optionally comprises a second optical device;
• and
• c. affixing the pre-wired spacer to the first and second lites.

A window unit comprising:

• an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane;
• a wire assembly attached to an edge of the insulated glass unit and comprising wires in electrical communication with distinct electrodes of the optically switchable pane;
• and
• a floating connector attached to the distal end of the wire assembly, the floating connector electrically coupled to the optically switchable pane, wherein the floating connector comprises:
• (i) a flange and a nose extending from the flange by a distance approximately equal to a thickness of a first frame in which insulated glass unit is to be mounted, wherein the nose comprises a terminal face presenting two exposed contacts of opposite polarities, and
• (ii) two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to said first frame, wherein the two holes are arranged with respect to the nose such that the nose is closer to one of the holes than the other, thereby requiring that the two exposed contacts be arranged in a defined orientation when the floating connector is affixed to the first frame, or an asymmetric element in the shape of the nose and/or the flange that permits installation in only one way.

A window assembly comprising:

• an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane;
• a first connector mounted to the insulated glass unit in a sealant of the insulated glass unit, the first connector comprising exposed contacts electrically coupled to leads extending from the optically switchable pane and through the insulated glass unit, the first connector further comprising a first ferromagnetic element, which itself may be magnetized;
• and
• a wire assembly configured to be detachably mounted to the insulated glass unit through the first connector, wherein the wire assembly comprises at least two wires extending from and electrically coupled to a second connector comprising a surface having contacts and being shaped for mechanical engagement to the first connector, the second connector further comprising a second ferromagnetic element, which itself may be magnetized,
• wherein at least one of the first and second ferromagnetic elements is magnetized such that the first and second connectors may magnetically engage one another to provide electrical communication between their respective contacts.