System for providing data and power signals to networked devices

A system for providing data and power signals from a network to a device, the system comprising:

• an orientation-sensitive network receptacle for transmitting data and power from the network;
• a connector matable with the receptacle, the connector including a connector body having first and second sides, an orientation-sensitive, multi-conductor plug on the first side, the plug being configured to be inserted into the network receptacle for transmitting data and power from the network, a pair of orientation sensitive, multi-conductor connector receptacles on the second side, the receptacles being configured to receive mating plugs for transmitting data and power from the network to a pair of downstream devices without interruption of data and power to either device, and a plurality of conductive elements disposed within the body to define at least four separate conductive paths between the plug and the receptacles, including two data paths and two power paths;
• and
• cable assemblies including plugs independently and removably matable with the connector receptacles for transmitting data and/or power from the network to the pair of downstream devices.

A system for providing data and power signals from a network to a device, the system comprising:

• a connector body having first and second sides;
• an orientation-sensitive, multi-conductor plug on the first side, the plug being configured to be inserted into a mating receptacle for transmitting data and power from a network;
• a pair of orientation sensitive, multi-conductor receptacles on the second side, each receptacle being configured to receive a mating plug of independently and removably matable device cables for transmitting data and power from the network to a downstream device without interruption of data and power to a device coupled to the other receptacle, the receptacles being configured to receive plugs identical to the plug of the connector;
• and
• a plurality of conductive elements disposed within the body to define at lease four separate conductive paths between the plug and the receptacles, including two data paths and two power paths;
• wherein the receptacles are configured to receive plugs identical to the plug of the connector.