Adjustable plaster ring cover

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in an electrical distribution system, the apparatus comprising:
 an electrical box configured to accept at least one electrical power cable;   a plaster ring configured to be mounted to the electrical box, wherein the plaster ring has an open front face that provides access to an interior of the electrical box;   an electrical wiring module within the interior of the electrical box, the electrical wiring module including one or more conductors that couple the electrical wiring module to one or more of the power cables, the electrical wiring module further including one or more connectors to electrically couple to a functional module;   a first cover configured to protect one of more of the connectors on the wiring module; and   a second cover configured to substantially cover the open front face of the plaster ring.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the wiring module conductors is electrically connected to the electrical box. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the wiring module conductors are configured with wire connectors. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second cover is attached to the plaster ring with one or more screws. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second cover includes a plate. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , where one of the first and second covers is flexible. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first cover is flexible and the second cover is hard. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising mounting brackets configured to mount the apparatus to ensure the center of the functional module when coupled with the wiring module will be between  12  and  20  inches from the floor. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising mounting brackets configured to mount the apparatus to a construction stud allowing the box to be moved to a variety of positions vertically on the stud or to move the apparatus horizontally between two studs on a wall, ceiling or floor. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical box is configured to be mounted to a hard surface or within a hard surface. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first cover must be removed to electrically couple a functional module with the wiring module. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second cover protects must be removed to electrically connect the functional module. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second cover protects the wiring module, the first cover and one or more of the conductors. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a functional module. 
     
     
         15 . An electrical apparatus manufacturing method comprising:
 placing one or more electrical wiring modules within an interior of an electrical box, each electrical wiring module including one or more fixed conductors that couple the electrical wiring module to one or more power cables, the electrical wiring module further including one or more connectors disposed thereon that are configured to electrically couple to a functional module;   mounting a plaster ring to the electrical box wherein the plaster ring includes an open front face that provides access to the interior of the electrical box; and   mounting a hard protective cover to the plaster ring.   
     
     
         16 . The electrical apparatus manufacturing method of  claim 15 , wherein the plaster ring is removeably mounted with two or more screws. 
     
     
         17 . The electrical wiring method of  claim 9 , wherein the hard protective cover is attached with two or more screws. 
     
     
         18 . The electrical apparatus manufacturing method of  claim 15 , further comprising: respectively mounting a functional module to each wiring module. 
     
     
         19 . The electrical apparatus manufacturing method of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the wiring modules fixed conductors is connected to the electrical box with a screw or wire connector. 
     
     
         20 . The electrical apparatus manufacturing method of  claim 9 , wherein at lease one conductor from each of the wiring modules is connected to the electrical box via a wire connector or screw.