Method and apparatus for supplying data and power to panel-supported components

A support for electrical components, the support comprising:

• an enclosed component mounting area;
• a first enclosed wiring path extending to a location adjacent to the component mounting area;
• a first supply cable disposed and enclosed in the first wiring path, the first supply cable having first pairs of power conductors and data conductors disposed in an insulative jacket;
• a second enclosed wiring path extending from the location in a direction along the mounting area;
• a second supply cable disposed and enclosed in the second wiring path, the second supply cable having second pairs of power conductors and data conductors disposed in an insulative jacket, power and data conductors of the second supply cable being electrically coupled to respective power and data conductors of the first supply cable;
• and
• a plurality of connectors coupled to the second supply cable, each connector including an interface having conductive members electrically coupled to the power and data conductors of the second supply cable, each interface being configured for receiving a mating device cable assembly for transmitting power and data signals to a device disposed and enclosed in the component mounting area, the connectors being disposed to couple devices electrically in parallel with one another, wherein the power and data conductors of the second supply cable are disposed in generally parallel orientation with respect to one another, and wherein the conductive members of the connectors are configured to pierce the insulative jacket of the second supply cable to contact the power and data conductors.

An electrical component system comprising:

• an enclosed component mounting area;
• a plurality of electrical components disposed and enclosed in the mounting area;
• a first enclosed wiring path extending to a location adjacent to the component mounting area;
• a first supply cable disposed and enclosed in the first wiring path, the first supply cable having first pairs of power conductors and data conductors disposed in an insulative jacket;
• a second enclosed wiring path extending from the location in a direction along the mounting area;
• a second supply cable disposed and enclosed in the second wiring path, the second supply cable having second pairs of power conductors and data conductors disposed in an insulative jacket, power and data conductors of the second supply cable being electrically coupled to respective power and data conductors of the first supply cable;
• a plurality of connectors coupled to the second supply cable, each connector including an interface having conductive members electrically coupled to the power and data conductors of the second supply cable, wherein the power and data conductors of the second supply cable are disposed in generally parallel orientation with respect to one another, and wherein the conductive members of the connectors are configured to pierce the insulative jacket of the second supply cable to contact the power and data conductors;
• and
• a plurality of device cable assemblies, a device cable assembly being coupled between respective interfaces and components for transmitting power and data signals to the respective components electrically in parallel with one another.

A method for supplying data and power to panel-mounted electrical components, the method comprising the steps of:

• disposing and enclosing a trunk cable in a first enclosed wiring path adjacent to an enclosed component mounting area, the trunk cable including first pairs of power and data conductors in an insulative jacket;
• disposing and enclosing a drop cable in a second enclosed wiring path, the drop cable including second pairs of power and data conductors in an insulative jacket, the power and data conductors of the drop cable being electrically coupled to the power and data conductors of the trunk cable;
• coupling a plurality of connectors to the drop cable, each connector including a receptacle routing power and data signals from the drop cable conductors, the connectors being coupled to the drop cable by forcing insulation piercing conductive elements of each connector through an insulative cover of the drop cable;
• and
• coupling a plurality of electrical components disposed and enclosed in the mounting area electrically in parallel with one another via respective device cable assemblies coupled to the receptacles.