Modular control circuit with bus conductor

A modular control system for the electronic control of the operating systems of an automated building or the like having a grounded support rail (1), comprising:

• (a) a first terminal block assembly (3) including a plurality of generally-rectangular terminal blocks (24-27) laterally stacked to define a stack axis;
• (b) catch feet means (9,9') for mounting said terminal block assembly on the grounded support rail (1) with said stack axis extending parallel with the support rail;
• (c) distributor bar means (7) for distributing electrical power between the terminal blocks of said assembly;
• (d) internal bus bar means (13) extending parallel with said stack axis and operable to connect said first terminal block assembly with another terminal block assembly mounted on the support rail;
• (e) at least one electronics module (2) removably mounted on said terminal block assembly, said module and said first terminal block assembly including at least one row of cooperating terminals (11) that extends parallel with said stack axis;
• (f) bus bar connecting means (14) for connecting said internal bus bar means to an associated field bus (4);
• (g) at least some of said terminal blocks of said assembly including:
• (1) means (6) supporting said distributor bar means (7) on said terminal blocks;
• (2) means (8) for supplying control signals to said electronics module;
• (3) means (15) for removably supporting said electronics module on said terminal block assembly;
• and
• (4) means for supporting said internal bus bar means;
• (h) said terminal block assembly including at least one ground terminal block (25), at least one power supply terminal block (16), and at least one control signal supply terminal block (27), said terminal blocks having terminal contacts spaced on said assembly relative to said electronics module transversely of said stack axis.