Power rails etc

[Dave Halliday]

>     An alternative to a soldered bus bar is to use technology common (and 
>     cheap) in the computer and auto industries.  Run larger size bus wires 
>     (about 18 awg +) along your case/rack.  Connect one of these to each 
>     power supply connection (+15V, -15V, gnd, etc.).  Then periodically 
>     attach a set of tap-in connectors along the bus lines. These are 
>     available at home supply stores, automotive supply stores, and Radio 
>     Shack (For example: "It's a Snap" Tap Splices).  Then run smaller gauge
>     wires toward the locations you expect to insert modules.  Connect all 3
>     or 4 of these smaller wires to a power connector of the type used to 
>     connect power supplies to disk drives.  These are common and cheap 
>     (look in your computer to see what type I mean, there are both large 
>     and small sizes. Most have four connections which is perfect).  
>     Connect a PCB mounting female connector to the PCB on each module to 
>     supply the power to the board.  Now if you want to move modules 
>     around, all you have to do is disconnect the male power connector from 
>     the female PCB connector and move the module to a new location.



The connectors were frirst made by a company called Molex and are 
generically known by this name.  They are keyed so there is only one 
way to plug them together, they are rated for a good ammount of 
current ( about five amps or so ) and they are CHEAP!
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