Pre-wired power distribution system

Abstract

A power distribution system has an electrical box configured to attach a power cable, a plaster ring releasably mounted to the box and one or more electrical devices installed into the ring. A pre-wired ground extends from a first end physically and electrically connected to a ground terminal on the electrical device. The plaster ring is movable between a closed position proximate the box and an open position distal the box. The pre-wired ground is configured as a lanyard so as to support the plaster ring as a wiring platform in the open position for connecting wires between the power cable and the electrical device or devices.

1 . A power distribution system comprising: 
 an electrical box configured to receive a power cable;    a ground junction on the electrical box;    a plaster ring configured to releasably mount to the electrical box;    a wiring module mounted to the plaster ring and having a ground terminal; and    a pre-wired ground connection extending from a first end mechanically and electrically connected to the ground junction and a second end mechanically and electrically connected to the ground terminal,    wherein the plaster ring can move between a closed position proximate the electrical box and an open position distal from the electrical box and the pre-wired ground connection is configured as a lanyard supporting the plaster ring in the open position for connecting wires between the power cable and the wiring module.    
   
   
       2 . The power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-wired ground connection is tested for electrical continuity.  
   
   
       3 . The power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-wired ground connection has been subjected to a mechanical pull test.  
   
   
       4 . The power distribution system of  claim 3 , wherein the mechanical pull test has a force of at least about 20 lbs.  
   
   
       5 . The power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-wired ground connection and the ground junction are substantially permanently joined.  
   
   
       6 . The power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the ground junction comprises a bus bar.  
   
   
       7 . The power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical box comprises a multi-gang electrical box and the plaster ring comprises a multi-gang plaster ring.  
   
   
       8 . The power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the wiring module comprises external push-wire connectors for coupling to the power cable.  
   
   
       9 . The power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the wiring module comprises internal push-wire connectors for coupling to the power cable.  
   
   
       10 . The power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the wiring module comprises a wiring portion for coupling to a source of electrical power via one or more distribution cables and a user accessible portion with a connector to configured to accept and provide electrical power to a selected one of a plurality of types of functional modules without accessing the one or more distribution cables, the wiring portion at least partially enclosed by the electrical box.  
   
   
       11 . The power distribution system of  claim 10 , wherein the functional module comprises an outlet receptacle or a switch.  
   
   
       12 . The power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the plaster ring comprises an adjustable plaster ring to provide a variable distance between the electrical box and the wiring module.  
   
   
       13 . An electrical wiring method comprising: 
 providing a power distribution system within a wall, the power distribution system comprising: 
 an electrical box configured to receive a power cable;  
 a ground junction on the electrical box;  
 a plaster ring configured to releasably mount to the electrical box;  
 a wiring module mounted to the plaster ring and having a ground terminal; and  
 a pre-wired ground connection extending from a first end mechanically and electrically connected to the ground junction and a second end mechanically and electrically connected to the ground terminal,  
 wherein the plaster ring can move between a closed position proximate the electrical box and an open position distal from the electrical box and the pre-wired ground connection is configured as a lanyard supporting the plaster ring in the open position for connecting wires between the power cable and the wiring module;  
   moving the plaster ring from the closed position to the open position;    attaching wires between the power cable and the wiring module; and    moving the plaster ring from the open position to the closed position.    
   
   
       14 . The electrical wiring method of  claim 13 , further comprising coupling a functional module to the wiring module to provide a selected power distribution function.  
   
   
       15 . A modular electrical wiring component comprising: 
 a wiring portion for coupling to a source of electrical power via at least one cable, the wiring portion comprising a first internal push-wire connector for coupling to the cable;    a user-accessible portion configured to accept and provide electrical power to a functional module that provides a selected electrical distribution function, wherein the user-accessible portion is configured to accept the functional module without access to the wiring portion.    
   
   
       16 . The modular electrical wiring component of  claim 15 , further comprising a plaster ring mounted to the modular electrical wiring component and configured to releasably mount to an electrical box.  
   
   
       17 . The modular electrical wiring component of  claim 16 , further comprising a second internal push-wire connector mechanically and electrically connected to a first end of a pre-wired ground connection, a second end of the pre-wired ground connection being mechanically and electrically connected to an electrical box.  
   
   
       18 . The modular electrical wiring component of  claim 17 , wherein the plaster ring can move between a closed position proximate the electrical box and an open position distal from the electrical box, and wherein the pre-wired ground connection is configured as a lanyard supporting the plaster ring in the open position for connecting wires between the cable and the modular electrical wiring component.  
   
   
       19 . The modular electrical wiring component of  claim 18 , wherein the pre-wired ground connection has been subjected to a mechanical pull test having a force of at least about 20 lbs.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a wiring module configured to mount within an electrical box, the wiring module having a functional side and a wiring side;    a first push-wire connector disposed on the wiring side of the wiring module, wherein the first push-wire connector is configured to terminate a power cable proximate said wiring side; and    at least one socket disposed on the functional side of the wiring module, the socket configured to receive a functional module wherein the functional module is removably installed in the wiring module proximate the functional side.    
   
   
       21 . The apparatus  claim 20 , wherein the wiring module is releasably mounted within the electrical box by a plaster ring.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus  claim 21 , further comprising a second push-wire connector mechanically and electrically connected to a first end of a pre-wired ground connection, a second end of the pre-wired ground connection being mechanically and electrically connected to the electrical box.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the plaster ring can move between a closed position proximate the electrical box and an open position distal from the electrical box, and wherein the pre-wired ground connection is configured as a lanyard supporting the plaster ring in the open position for connecting wires between the power cable and the wiring module.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the pre-wired ground connection has been subjected to a mechanical pull test having a force of at least about 20 lbs.