Terminal block with plug-in module

A connector arrangement as for connecting one of a plurality of plug-in electrical function control modules (10a-10e) with a pair of insulated electrical conductors (C), comprising:

• (a) a universal terminal block (1) including a generally horizontal rectangular body formed of synthetic plastic insulating material, said body including a pair of end portions, and an intermediate portion arranged between said end portions, said intermediate body portion having a horizontal top surface containing a downwardly extending open-topped chamber (9) contained between a pair of vertical side walls (29,30):
• (b) a pair of electrical terminals (5,6) mounted in recesses contained in the end portions of said terminal block body on opposite sides of said chamber for connection with the bare ends of conductors C) respectively introduced downwardly into said recesses via openings (8) contained in said body top surface;
• (c) a pair of upwardly-extending stationary electrical contacts (11, 12) mounted in the bottom of said chamber;
• (d) bus bar means (13) connecting said contacts with said terminals, respectively;
• (e) a plurality of function control modules (10a-10f) each of which is selectively insertable into said chamber, each of said function control modules including a pair of module contacts (31,32) arranged for respective electrical engagement with said stationary contacts when said function control module is in a fully inserted condition relative to said chamber;
• and
• (f) means for indicating the state of connection between each of said function control modules and said terminal block, said indicating means comprising at least one first light emitting diode (36) connected with one of said module contacts.

A connector arrangement for connecting one of a plurality of plug-in electrical function control modules (10a-10e) with a pair of insulated electrical conductors (C), comprising:

• (a) a universal terminal block (1) including a generally horizontal rectangular body formed of synthetic plastic insulating material, said body including a pair of end portions, and an intermediate portion arranged between said end portions, said intermediate body portion having a horizontal top surface containing a downwardly extending open-topped chamber (9) contained between a pair of vertical side walls (29,30);
• (b) a pair of electrical terminals (5, 6) mounted in recesses contained in the end portions of said terminal block body on opposite sides of said chamber for connection with the bare ends of conductors C) respectively introduced downwardly into said recesses via openings (8) contained in said body top surface;
• (c) a pair of upwardly-extending stationary electrical contacts (11, 12) mounted in the bottom of said chamber;
• (d) bus bar means (13) connecting said contacts with said terminals, respectively;
• (e) at least one function control module (10) including a pair of module contacts (31, 32) arranged for respective electrical engagement with said stationary contacts when said function control module is in a fully inserted condition relative to said chamber;
• and
• (f) means for indicating the state of insertion of said function control module into said chamber, comprising a lateral shoulder (39) integral with said control module, said integral shoulder being so arranged that when said module is in said completely inserted position relative to said chamber, the upper surface of said integral shoulder is level with the adjacent upper surface of said terminal block.