Modular electrical system

• US 6,156,971 A
• Filed: 02/24/1998
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lindy Lawrence May
• Original Assignee: Lindy Lawrence May
• Inventors: May, Lindy Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/029,480
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/49, 174/51, 174/65 R
• US Class Current: 174/59
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/59 for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/28 for wire processing before connecting to contact members, not provided for in groups H01R43/02 - H01R43/26
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/08 Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes

Abstract

An electrical system includes modular components which quickly assemble to create common lighting and general utility electrical circuits. All wiring is completed in the electrical box prior to installing electrical devices such as switches and receptacles, thereby eliminating the need for extra length wires in electrical boxes and cumbersome wiring practices associated with conventional residential electrical circuits. The electrical devices plug into prewired electrical boxes, thereby providing quick and easy removal and replacement of the device in the event of failure. Common residential lighting and general utility circuits are automatically configured by simply selecting proper electrical components. A dedicated earth ground is automatically carried to each electrical component with no effort on the part of the installer, thereby providing safer electrical circuits. The electrical system provides multi-conductor cables having cable sheathes extruded to a specific exterior profile to insure proper connection with electrical boxes thereby assuring proper configuration of electrical circuits. The electrical system also eliminates the need for wire nuts.

Claims

1. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, and each of said electrical devices is selected from the group consisting of a receptacle module, a ganging module, a two-way switch module, a three-way switch module, a four-way switch module, a dimmer switch module, a fan-control switch module, a timer switch module, a ground fault circuit interrupt receptacle module and a 240 volt receptacle module;

a plurality of wall boxes wherein each wall box is adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports sized to receive at least one of said cables, and a wiring module including a plurality of electrical conductors for electrically connecting any one of said electrical devices disposed in said wall box to said cables disposed in each cable port of said wall box; and

at least one electrical box, each electrical box being adapted to receive a lighting fixture, each electrical box including one or more cable ports sized to receive at least one of said cables, and a wiring module for electrically connecting said lighting fixture to said cables disposed in each cable port of said electrical box;

said modular electrical system configuring all electrical circuits associated with said electrical devices and each lighting fixture upon insertion of said electrical devices into said wall boxes and said cables into said one or more cable ports of said wall boxes and each electrical box;

each of said electrical cables having a predefined exterior profile extending the length of said cable and said cable ports associated with each wall box having dimensions corresponding to the exterior profile of said electrical cables, said cable ports being shaped to allow for insertion of any one of said electrical cables into said cable ports in only one orientation, thereby restricting connection of each wire conductor of each cable inserted in each cable port to a preselected one of said electrical conductors of said wall box.

2. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said cables has a first predefined exterior profile, and includes two current-carrying wire conductors disposed inside said cable in a predefined orientation.

3. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said electrical cable having said first predefined exterior profile further includes a ground wire conductor.

4. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said electrical cables further includes a ground wire conductor.

5. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 4 wherein each electrical device includes a plurality of electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom, said conductors being maintained in electrical communication with said wire conductors by said wiring module when said electrical device is disposed in said wall box.

6. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said electrical conductors include at least one positive conductor and a ground conductor, said positive conductor being maintained in electrical communication with a positive current carrying wire conductor of said cable by said wiring module, said ground conductor being maintained in electrical communication with said ground wire conductor of said cable by said wiring module.

7. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said electrical conductors are blade conductors.

8. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said blade conductors include at least one positive blade conductor and a ground blade conductor, said positive blade conductor being maintained in electrical communication with a positive current carrying wire conductor of said cable by said wiring module, said ground blade conductor being maintained in electrical communication with said ground wire conductor of said cable by said wiring module.

9. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, and each of said electrical devices is selected from the group consisting of a receptacle module, a ganging module, a two-way switch module, a three-way switch module, a four-way switch module, a dimmer switch module, a fan-control switch module, a timer switch module, a ground fault circuit interrupt receptacle module and a 240 volt receptacle module; and

a plurality of wall boxes wherein each wall box is adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices each wall box including one or more cable ports sized to receive at least one of said cables, and a wiring module for electrically connecting any one of said electrical devices disposed in said wall box to said cables disposed in said cable ports of said wall box;

said electrical cables further including a ground wire conductor;

each electrical device including a plurality of electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom, said electrical conductors being maintained in electrical communication with said wire conductors by said wiring module when said electrical device is disposed in said wall box;

each wall box further including an electrical box having an opening formed therein that is sized to receive said wiring module, and retaining mechanisms for maintaining said wiring module inside said electrical box.

10. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, and each of said electrical devices is selected from the group consisting of a receptacle module, a ganging module, a two-way switch module, a three-way switch module, a four-way switch module, a dimmer switch module, a fan-control switch module, a timer switch module, a ground fault circuit interrupt receptacle module and a 240 volt receptacle module; and

a plurality of wall boxes wherein each wall box is adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports sized to receive at least one of said cables, and a wiring module for electrically connecting any one of said electrical devices disposed in said wall box to said cables disposed in said cable ports of said wall box;

said electrical cables further including a ground wire conductor;

each electrical device including a plurality of electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom, said electrical conductors being maintained in electrical communication with said wire conductors by said wiring module when said electrical device is disposed in said wall box;

said wiring module including a plurality of wire adapters for electrically connecting each of said conductors of said electrical device to a preselected wire conductor of at least one of said cables, each of said wire adapters including at least one wire pressure socket adapted to accommodate one of said wire conductors, and a conductor pressure socket adapted to accommodate one of said conductors associated with said electrical device, said wiring module further including a base having a plurality of cavities formed therein, each cavity being sized to receive one of said wire adapters therein, said base electrically isolating each of said wire adapters from the other wire adapters disposed therein;

said base further including at least one of said cable ports for receiving at least one of said electrical cables.

11. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said wiring module further includes a cover mounted on said base when said wire adapters are disposed in said base cavities.

12. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 10 wherein each of said wire conductors of said cables is electrically connected to an appropriate one of said wire adapters upon insertion of said cables into said cable ports.

13. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, and each of said electrical devices is selected from the group consisting of a receptacle module, a ganging module, a two-way switch module, a three-way switch module, a four-way switch module, a dimmer switch module, a fan-control switch module, a timer switch module, a ground fault circuit interrupt receptacle module and a 240 volt receptacle module; and

a plurality of wall boxes wherein each wall box is adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports sized to receive at least one of said cables, and a wiring module for electrically connecting any one of said electrical devices disposed in said wall box to said cables disposed in said cable ports of said wall box;

said electrical cables further including a round wire conductor;

each electrical device including a plurality of electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom, said electrical conductors being maintained in electrical communication with said wire conductors by said wiring module when said electrical device is disposed in said wall box;

said electrical conductors including at least one positive conductor and a ground conductor, said positive conductor being maintained in electrical communication with a positive current carrying wire conductor of said cable by said wiring module, said ground conductor being maintained in electrical communication with said ground wire conductor of said cable by said wiring module;

each wall box further including an electrical box having a cavity formed therein that is sized to accommodate said wiring module and said electrical device, and a retaining assembly for retaining said electrical device in said cavity of said electrical box.

14. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said electrical box is constructed from a metal material.

15. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said retaining assembly is maintained in electrical communication with said electrical box.

16. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 15 wherein each electrical device includes a ground assembly for electrically connecting said ground conductor of said electrical device to said retaining assembly of said wall box, whereby said electrical box is electrically grounded when said ground wire conductor of said cable is maintained in electrical communication with said ground conductor of said electrical device.

17. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, and each of said electrical devices is selected from the group consisting of a receptacle module, a ganging module, a two-way switch module, a three-way switch module, a four-way switch module, a dimmer switch module, a fan-control switch module, a timer switch module, a ground fault circuit interrupt receptacle module and a 240 volt receptacle module; and

a plurality of wall boxes wherein each wall box is adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports sized to receive at least one of said cables, and a wiring module for electrically connecting any one of said electrical devices disposed in said wall box to said cables disposed in said cable ports of said wall box;

each of said electrical cables having a predefined exterior profile extending the length of said cable;

said cable ports associated with each wall box having dimensions corresponding to the exterior profile of said electrical cables, said cable ports being shaped to allow for insertion of any one of said electrical cables into said cable ports in only one orientation;

at least one of said cables having a first predefined exterior profile, and including two current-carrying wire conductors disposed inside said cable in a predefined orientation;

at least one of said cables having a second predefined exterior profile, and including three current-carrying wire conductors disposed inside said cable in a predefined orientation.

18. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said electrical cable having said second predefined exterior profile further includes a ground wire conductor.

19. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 17 wherein at least one of said cables has a third predefined exterior profile, and includes four current-carrying wire conductor disposed inside said cable in a predefined orientation.

20. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 19 wherein said electrical cable having said third predefined exterior profile further includes a ground wire conductor.

21. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 19 wherein at least one of said cable ports is shaped to allow for insertion of two of said cables having said first predefined exterior profile therein.

22. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 21 wherein at least one of said cable ports is shaped to allow for insertion of one of said cables having said second predefined exterior profile therein.

23. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 22 wherein at least one of said cable ports is shaped to allow for insertion of one of said cables having said third predefined exterior profile therein.

24. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 19 wherein at least one of said cable ports is shaped to alternately allow for insertion therein of two cables having said first predefined exterior profile, or one cable having said second predefined profile, or one cable having said third predefined profile.

25. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 24 wherein each of said electrical cables further includes a ground wire conductor.

26. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors and a ground wire conductor;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, each of said electrical devices being selected from the group consisting of a receptacle module, a ganging module, a two-way switch module, a three-way switch module, a four-way switch module, a dimmer switch module, a fan-control switch module, a timer switch module, a ground fault circuit interrupt receptacle module and a 240 volt receptacle module; and

a plurality of wall boxes each adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including at least one cable port, each cable port being adapted to receive at least six wire conductors therein with each wire conductor being terminated individually and electrically insulated from any other wire conductor, each wall box further including a wiring module including a plurality of electrical conductors for electrically connecting one of said electrical devices disposed therein to said wire conductors.

27. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said electrical devices include one or more receptacle modules.

28. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said electrical devices include one or more ganging modules.

29. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said electrical devices include one or more two-way switch modules.

30. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said electrical devices include one or more three-way switch modules.

31. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said electrical devices include one or more four-way switch modules.

32. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said electrical devices include one or more dimmer switch modules.

33. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said electrical devices include one or more fan-control switch modules.

34. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said electrical devices include one or more timer switch modules.

35. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said electrical devices include one or more ground fault circuit interrupt receptacle modules.

36. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said electrical devices include one or more 240 volt receptacle modules.

37. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said electrical cables have a predefined exterior profile extending the length of said cables, and said cable ports have dimensions corresponding to the exterior profile of said electrical cables, said cable ports being shaped to allow for insertion of said electrical cables into said cable ports in only one orientation, thereby restricting connection of each wire conductor of each cable to a preselected one of said electrical conductors of said wall box.

38. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 37 wherein at least one of said cables has a first predefined exterior profile, and includes two current-carrying wire conductors disposed inside said cable in a predefined orientation.

39. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 38 wherein at least one of said cables has a second predefined exterior profile, and includes three current-carrying wire conductors disposed inside said cable in a predefined orientation.

40. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 39 wherein at least one of said cables has a third predefined exterior profile, and includes four current-carrying wire conductors disposed inside said cable in a predefined orientation.

41. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 26 wherein each electrical device includes a plurality of electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom.

42. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 41 wherein said electrical conductors are blade conductors.

43. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 41 wherein each wall box includes an electrical box having an opening formed therein that is sized to receive said wiring module, and retaining mechanisms for maintaining said wiring module inside said electrical box.

44. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 41 wherein each wiring module includes a plurality of wire adapters for electrically connecting said conductors of said electrical device to a preselected wire conductor of at least one of said cables, each of said wire adapters including at least one wire pressure socket adapted to accommodate one of said wire conductors, and a conductor pressure socket adapted to accommodate one of said conductors associated with said electrical device, said wiring module further including a base having a plurality of cavities formed therein, each cavity being sized to receive one of said wire adapters therein, said base electrically isolating each of said wire adapters from the other wire adapters disposed therein;

said base further including at least one of said cable ports for receiving at least one of said electrical cables.

45. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 44 wherein each wiring module further includes a cover mounted on said base when said wire adapters are disposed in said base cavities.

46. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 44 wherein each of said wire conductors of said cables is electrically connected to an appropriate one of said wire adapters upon insertion of said cables into said cable ports.

47. An electrical system comprising at least one electrical component having at least one cable port and a plurality of electrical conductors, a power source for supplying power to each electrical component, and at least one electrical cable electrically connecting said power source to each electrical component, each electrical cable having two or more wire conductors connected to one of said electrical components via said electrical conductors, said electrical cables having a predefined exterior profile extending the length of the cables, said cable ports having dimensions corresponding to the exterior profile of said electrical cables and being shaped to allow for insertion of said cables into said cable ports in only one orientation, thereby restricting connection of each wire conductor of each cable inserted in each cable port to a preselected one of said electrical conductors of one of said at least one electrical component.

48. The electrical system as set forth in claim 47 wherein a plurality of said electrical cables are employed to connect a plurality of said electrical components to said power source.

49. The electrical system set forth in claim 48 wherein at least one of said cables has a first predefined exterior profile, and includes two current-carrying wire conductors disposed inside said cable in a predefined orientation.

50. An electrical system comprising at least one electrical component having at least one cable port, a power source for supplying power to each electrical component, and at least one electrical cable electrically connecting said power source to each electrical component, said electrical cables having a predefined exterior profile extending the length of the cables, said cable ports having dimensions corresponding to the exterior profile of said electrical cables and being shaped to allow for insertion of said cables into said cable ports in only one orientation;

a plurality of said electrical cables being employed to connect a plurality of said electrical components to said power source;

at least one of said cables having a first predefined exterior profile, and including two current-carrying wire conductors disposed inside said cable in a predefined orientation; and

at least one of said cables having a second predefined exterior profile, and including three current-carrying wire conductors disposed inside said cable in a predefined orientation.

51. The electrical system as set forth in claim 50 wherein at least one of said cables has a third predefined exterior profile, and includes four current-carrying wire conductors disposed inside said cable in a predefined orientation.

52. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 51 wherein at least one of said cable ports of said electrical components is shaped to alternately allow for insertion of two cables having said first profile, or one cable having said second profile, or one cable having said third profile.

53. An electrical system for a building structure, comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout the building structure, each circuit including at least one electrical cable, each cable having a plurality of wire conductors imbedded in a sheath, each cable including a positive wire conductor, a neutral wire conductor and a ground wire conductor;

a power source for providing power to said circuits via a power cable having a positive wire conductor, a neutral wire conductor and a ground wire conductor;

a junction box for electrically connecting said power cable from said power source to one or more of said circuits, said junction box including two or more cable ports each adapted to alternately receive one of said electrical cables of said circuits or said power cable, said junction box including a wiring module including a plurality of electrical conductors for electrically connecting said positive wire conductor of said power cable to said positive wire conductor of each electrical cable of each circuit, and said neutral wire conductor of said power cable to said neutral wire of each electrical cable of each circuit, and said ground wire of said power cable to said ground wire of each electrical cable of each circuit when said electrical cables and said power cable are inserted into said cable ports;

said electrical cables and said power cable having a predefined exterior profile;

each of said cable ports having dimensions corresponding to the exterior profile of said cables, each cable port being shaped to allow for insertion of any one of said electrical cables of any circuit or said power cable in only one orientation, thereby restricting connection of each wire conductor of each cable inserted in each cable port to a preselected one of said electrical conductors of said junction box.

54. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors and a ground wire conductor;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, each electrical device further including two or more electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom; and

a plurality of wall boxes each adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including at least one cable port, each cable port being adapted to receive at least six wire conductors therein with each wire conductor being terminated individually and electrically insulated from any other wire conductor, each wall box further including a wiring module for electrically connecting said electrical conductors of said electrical device to said wire conductors, said wiring module having six slots formed therein that are each adapted to receive one of said conductors of said electrical device, including a first slot (A), a second slot (B), a third slot (C), a fourth slot (D), a fifth slot (E), and a sixth slot (F).

55. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 54 wherein said electrical devices include one or more ganging modules, each of said ganging modules including a first positive conductor disposed in said first slot (A) of said wiring module, a first neutral conductor disposed in said second slot (B), a first ground conductor disposed in said third slot (C), a second positive conductor disposed in said fourth slot (D), a second neutral conductor disposed in said fifth slot (E), and a second ground conductor disposed in said sixth slot (F), said second positive conductor being electrically connected to said first positive conductor, said second neutral conductor being electrically connected to said first neutral conductor and said second ground conductor being electrically connected to said first ground conductor, said second positive, neutral and ground conductors providing power to a set of said cable ports associated with said wall box, said set of cable ports allowing for power to be supplied to other of said electrical circuits associated with said electrical system.

56. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 54 wherein said electrical devices include one or more receptacle modules, each receptacle module including a first positive conductor and a first neutral conductor, said first positive conductor being disposed in said first slot (A) of said wiring module, said first neutral conductor being disposed in said second slot (B).

57. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 56 wherein each receptacle module further includes a first ground conductor, said first ground conductor being disposed in said third slot (C).

58. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 57 wherein each receptacle module further includes a second positive conductor that is electrically connected to said first positive conductor, a second neutral conductor that is electrically connected to said first neutral conductor and a second ground conductor that is electrically connected to said first ground conductor, said second positive conductor being disposed in said fourth slot (D), said second neutral conductor being disposed in said fifth slot (E), and said second ground conductor being disposed in said sixth slot (F).

59. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 58 including a first receptacle module disposed in a first wall box and a second receptacle module disposed in a second wall box, said first wall box being disposed in close proximity to said second wall box, said modular electrical system further including a jumper device that electrically connects said second positive conductor, said second neutral conductor and said second ground conductor of said first receptacle module to said first positive conductor, said first neutral conductor and said first ground conductor of said second receptacle module, respectively to establish an electrical path for supply of power to said second receptacle module.

60. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 59 wherein said jumper device includes three wire conductors imbedded in a handle, said handle being constructed from a nonconductive material to electrically isolate said wire conductors, said wire conductors including two current-carrying wire conductors and a ground wire conductor.

61. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors and a ground wire conductor;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, each electrical device further including two or more electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom; and

a plurality of wall boxes each adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports, each cable port being adapted to alternately receive up to two cables having three wire conductors, or one cable having four wire conductors, or one cable having five wire conductors, each wall box further including a wiring module for electrically connecting said electrical conductors of said electrical device to said wire conductors, said wiring module having six slots formed therein that are each adapted to receive one of said conductors of said electrical device, including a first slot (A), a second slot (B), a third slot (C), a fourth slot (D) a fifth slot (E) and a sixth slot (F);

said electrical devices including one or more two-way switch modules, each two-way switch module having at least two electrical conductors, including a first current-carrying conductor and a second current-carrying conductor, said first current-carrying conductor being disposed in said first slot (A) of said wiring module, said second current-carrying conductor being disposed in said second slot (B);

said two-way switch module further including a ground conductor, said ground conductor being disposed in said third slot (C).

62. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors and a ground wire conductor;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, each electrical device further including two or more electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom; and

a plurality of wall boxes each adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports, each cable port being adapted to alternately receive up to two cables having three wire conductors, or one cable having four wire conductors, or one cable having five wire conductors, each wall box further including a wiring module for electrically connecting said electrical conductors of said electrical device to said wire conductors, said wiring module having six slots formed therein that are each adapted to receive one of said conductors of said electrical device, including a first slot (A), a second slot (B), a third slot (C), a fourth slot (D), a fifth slot (E), and a sixth slot (F);

said electrical devices including one or more three-way switch modules, each three-way switch module having at least three electrical conductors, including a first current-carrying conductor, a second current-carrying conductor, a third current-carrying conductor, said first current-carrying conductor being disposed in said first slot (A) of said wiring module, said second current-carrying conductor being disposed in said second slot (B), and said third current-carrying conductor being disposed in said fourth slot (D);

said three-way switch module further including a ground conductor, said ground conductor being disposed in said third slot (C).

63. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors and a ground wire conductor;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, each electrical device further including two or more electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom; and

a plurality of wall boxes each adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports, each cable port being adapted to alternately receive up to two cables having three wire conductors, or one cable having four wire conductors, or one cable having five wire conductors, each wall box further including a wiring module for electrically connecting said electrical conductors of said electrical device to said wire conductors, said wiring module having six slots formed therein that are each adapted to receive one of said conductors of said electrical device, including a first slot (A), a second slot (B), a third slot (C), a fourth slot (D), a fifth slot (E), and a sixth slot (F);

said electrical devices including one or more four-way switch modules, each four-way switch module having at least four electrical conductors, including a first current-carrying conductor, a second current-carrying conductor, a third current-carrying conductor, and a fourth current-carrying conductor, said first current-carrying conductor being disposed in said first slot (A) of said wiring module, said second current-carrying conductor being disposed in said second slot (B), said third current-carrying conductor being disposed in said fourth slot (D), and said fourth current-carrying conductor being disposed in said fifth slot (E);

said four-way switch module further including a ground conductor, said ground conductor being disposed in said third slot (C).

64. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors and a ground wire conductor;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, each electrical device further including two or more electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom; and

a plurality of wall boxes each adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports, each cable port being adapted to alternately receive up to two cables having three wire conductors, or one cable having four wire conductors, or one cable having five wire conductors, each wall box further including a wiring module for electrically connecting said electrical conductors of said electrical device to said wire conductors, said wiring module having six slots formed therein that are each adapted to receive one of said conductors of said electrical device, including a first slot (A), a second slot (B), a third slot (C), a fourth slot (D), a fifth slot (E), and a sixth slot (F);

said electrical devices include one or more dimmer switch modules, each dimmer switch module having at least two electrical conductors, including a first current-carrying conductor and a second current-carrying conductor, said first current-carrying conductor being disposed in said first slot (A) of said wiring module, said second current-carrying conductor being disposed in said second slot (B);

said dimmer switch module further including a ground conductor, said ground conductor being disposed in said third slot (C).

65. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors and a ground wire conductor;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, each electrical device further including two or more electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom; and

a plurality of wall boxes each adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports, each cable port being adapted to alternately receive up to two cables having three wire conductors, or one cable having four wire conductors, or one cable having five wire conductors, each wall box further including a wiring module for electrically connecting said electrical conductors of said electrical device to said wire conductors, said wiring module having six slots formed therein that are each adapted to receive one of said conductors of said electrical device, including a first slot (A), a second slot (B), a third slot (C), a fourth slot (D), a fifth slot (E), and a sixth slot (F);

said electrical devices including one or more fan-control switch modules, each fan-control switch module having at least two electrical conductors, including a first current-carrying conductor and a second current-carrying conductor, said first current-carrying conductor being disposed in said first slot (A) of said wiring module, said second current-carrying conductor being disposed in said second slot (B);

said fan-control switch module further including a ground conductor, said ground conductor being disposed in said third slot (C).

66. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors and a ground wire conductor;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, each electrical device further including two or more electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom; and

a plurality of wall boxes each adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports, each cable port being adapted to alternately receive up to two cables having three wire conductors, or one cable having four wire conductors, or one cable having five wire conductors, each wall box further including a wiring module for electrically connecting said electrical conductors of said electrical device to said wire conductors, said wiring module having six slots formed therein that are each adapted to receive one of said conductors of said electrical device, including a first slot (A), a second slot (B), a third slot (C), a fourth slot (D), a fifth slot (E), and a sixth slot (F);

said electrical devices including one or more timer switch modules, each timer switch module having at least two electrical conductors, including a first current-carrying conductor and a second current-carrying conductor, said first current-carrying conductor being disposed in said first slot (A) of said wiring module, said second current-carrying conductor being disposed in said second slot (B);

said timer switch module further including a ground conductor, said ground conductor being disposed in said third slot (C).

67. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors and a ground wire conductor;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, each electrical device further including two or more electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom; and

a plurality of wall boxes each adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports, each cable port being adapted to alternately receive up to two cables having three wire conductors, or one cable having four wire conductors, or one cable having five wire conductors, each wall box further including a wiring module for electrically connecting said electrical conductors of said electrical device to said wire conductors, said wiring module having six slots formed therein that are each adapted to receive one of said conductors of said electrical device, including a first slot (A), a second slot (B), a third slot (C), a fourth slot (D), a fifth slot (E), and a sixth slot (F);

said electrical devices including one or more ground fault circuit interrupt receptacle modules, each ground fault circuit interrupt receptacle module having at least four electrical conductors, including a source positive conductor, a source neutral conductor, a return positive conductor, and a return neutral conductor, said source positive conductor being disposed in said first slot (A) of said wiring module, said source neutral conductor being disposed in said second slot (B), said return positive conductor being disposed in said fourth slot (D), and said return neutral conductor being disposed in said fifth slot (E);

said ground fault circuit interrupt receptacle module further including a first ground conductor and a second ground conductor, said first ground conductor being disposed in said third slot (C), and said second ground conductor being disposed in said sixth slot (F), said second ground conductor being electrically connected to said first ground conductor.

68. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors and a ground wire conductor;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, each electrical device further including two or more electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom; and

a plurality of wall boxes each adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports, each cable port being adapted to alternately receive up to two cables having three wire conductors, or one cable having four wire conductors, or one cable having five wire conductors, each wall box further including a wiring module for electrically connecting said electrical conductors of said electrical device to said wire conductors, said wiring module having six slots formed therein that are each adapted to receive one of said conductors of said electrical device, including a first slot (A), a second slot (B), a third slot (C), a fourth slot (D), a fifth slot (E), and a sixth slot (F);

said electrical devices including one or more 240 volt receptacle modules, each 240 volt receptacle module having at least three electrical conductors, including a first positive conductor, a second positive conductor, a neutral conductor, said first positive conductor being disposed in said first slot (A) of said wiring module, said neutral conductor being disposed in said second slot (B), and said second positive conductor being disposed in said fourth slot (D);

said 240 volt receptacle module further and a ground conductor, said ground conductor being disposed in said third slot (C).

69. A modular electrical system comprising:

a plurality of electrical circuits extending throughout a building structure, each of said circuits being electrically coupled to a power source, and including at least one electrical cable for supplying current throughout that circuit, each electrical cable including two or more current-carrying wire conductors;

a power source for supplying power to said electrical circuits via at least one of said electrical cables;

a plurality of electrical devices wherein each electrical device is electrically connected to one of said circuits for controlling current flow through that circuit, said electrical devices including at least one four-way switch module;

a plurality of wall boxes wherein each wall box is adapted to receive any one of said electrical devices, each wall box including one or more cable ports sized to receive at least one of said cables, and a wiring module including a plurality of electrical conductors for electrically connecting any one of said electrical devices disposed in said wall box to said cables disposed in said cable ports of said wall box; and

at least one electrical box, each electrical box being adapted to receive a lighting fixture, each electrical box including one or more cable ports sized to receive at least one of said cables, and a wiring module for electrically connecting said lighting fixture to said cables disposed in said cable ports of said electrical box;

said modular electrical system configuring all electrical circuits associated with said electrical devices and said lighting fixtures upon insertion of said electrical devices into said wall boxes and said cables into said cable ports of said wall boxes and said electrical boxes.

70. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 69 wherein said electrical devices further include one or more electrical devices selected from the group consisting of a receptacle module, a ganging module, a two-way switch module, a three-way switch module, a dimmer switch module, a fan-control switch module, a timer switch module, a ground fault circuit interrupt receptacle module and a 240 volt receptacle module.

71. The modular electrical system as set forth in claim 69 wherein each of said electrical cables has a predefined exterior profile extending the length of said cable and said cable ports associated with each wall box have dimensions corresponding to the exterior profile of said electrical cables, said cable ports being shaped to allow for insertion of any one of said electrical cables into said cable ports in only one orientation, thereby restricting connection of each wire conductor of each cable inserted in each cable port to a preselected one of said electrical conductors of a preselected one of said wall boxes.