A power connection device for electrically coupling to a motor vehicle battery in order to distribute power to a plurality of loads, the device comprising;
- a housing having a front, back, top and bottom panels, the housing having two internal cavities formed by a central electrically insulating dividing wall along a central axis and parallel to the top and bottom panels, the front panel having a plurality of openings formed therein and arranged in two rows along the central axis, the first row of openings exposing one of the cavities inside of the housing, the second row of openings exposing the other cavity inside of the housing, the housing having two additional openings formed therein to accommodate two power input wires, the housing formed of a electrically insulating material;
- a pair of linear metal bus plates positioned inside the housing, each of said plates having a length, width, and depth, the length and width defining a substantially rectangular shape, the two rectangular plates arranged approximately parallel to each other, separated by and immediately adjacent to the central wall that divides the interior of the housing into two cavities, each plate positioned within their respective housing cavities to align approximately parallel with the top and bottom panels;
- a plurality of clamping arms positioned inside the housing in a one-to-one ratio to the number of openings in the housing excluding the two power input wire openings, each clamping arm associated with an opening, the clamping arms positioned so a wire inserted into the opening can be clamped between the bus plate and the clamping arm associated with said opening;
- a plurality of clamping arm actuating mechanisms in a one-to-one ratio to the number of clamping arms, each actuating mechanism associated with a clamping arm and positioned in the housing so as to put sufficient pressure on the clamping arm when the mechanism is actuated to force the clamping arm against the bus plate, a portion of the actuating mechanism is exposed on the exterior of the housing so as to provide a mechanism activation interface for the user;
- a first wire electrically coupled to the first bus plate, the wire exiting the device housing via the first power input wire openings, the portion of the wire being external to the housing possessing an electrical insulation, the wire being sufficient in length to provide adequate location flexibility in placement of the housing for the given vehicle application, the end of the wire not coupled to the bus plate terminating with a terminal of the type used to attach a load to a vehicle battery terminal;
- a second wire electrically coupled to the second bus plate, the second wire exiting the device housing via the second power input wire, the portion of the second wire being external to the housing possessing an electrical insulation, the wire being sufficient in length to provide adequate location flexibility in placement of the housing for the given vehicle application, the end of the wire not coupled to the bus plate terminating with a terminal of the type used to attach a load to a vehicle battery terminal;
- and
- a circuit protection mechanism electrically coupled serially to one of the insulated wires, the mechanism being able to break electrical communication between the device and the vehicle power source should the load exceed the specified rating.