Receptacle socket assembly for lighting equipment

Abstract

A receptacle socket assembly for lighting equipment comprising: a receptacle having a front side for receiving contacts of a control module, said receptacle housing a plurality of receptacle contacts, each receptacle contact being provided, at a front end, with a front contact portion for being electrically connected with a contact of a control module, and, at a rear end, with a rear contact portion; a wire connector having a front side and a rear side, said wire connector housing a plurality of connector contacts, each connector contact being provided, at a rear end, with a wire receiving contact for receiving and fixing a wire end and, at a front end, with a front contact portion; wherein the rear side of the receptacle and the front side of the wire connector are configured such that the wire connector is removably pluggable in the rear side of the receptacle.

Claims

1. A receptacle socket assembly for lighting equipment, the receptacle socket assembly comprising: a receptacle having a front side and a rear side, the front side being configured for receiving contacts of a control module for controlling the lighting equipment, the receptacle housing a plurality of receptacle contacts, each receptacle contact being provided, at a front end, with a front contact portion configured for being electrically connected with a contact of the control module, and, at a rear end, with a rear contact portion; a wire connector having a front side and a rear side, the wire connector housing a plurality of connector contacts, each connector contact being provided, at a rear end, with a wire receiving contact portion configured for receiving and fixing a wire end of a wire of the lighting equipment and, at a front end, with a front contact portion; wherein the rear side of the receptacle and the front side of the wire connector are configured such that the wire connector is removably pluggable in the rear side of the receptacle and such that, in a plugged-in state, the front contact portions of the plurality of connector contacts are electrically connected to the rear contact portions of the plurality of receptacle contacts.

2. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connector contacts comprises a plurality of first connector contacts and one or more second connector contacts, wherein, in the plugged-in state, seen in a radial direction around a central axis of the receptacle, the plurality of first connector contacts are positioned further away from the central axis than the one or more second connector contacts, wherein preferably the plurality of first connector contacts extends substantially along a first cylindrical surface around the central axis, and the one or more second connector contacts extend substantially along a second cylindrical surface around the central axis.

3. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein a receptacle contact of the plurality of receptacle contacts is provided at its rear end with a first rear contact portion and with a second rear contact portion at a distance of the first rear contact portion; and wherein the plurality of connector contacts comprises a first connector contact having a front contact portion in contact with the first rear contact portion and a second connector contact having a front contact portion in contact with the second rear contact portion.

4. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is provided with first snap-fit part and the wire connector is provided with a second snap-fit part configured to cooperate with the first snap-fit part in a plugged-in state of the wire connector in the receptacle, and/or wherein the front contact portions of the plurality of receptacle contacts extend at or near the front side of the receptacle.

5. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the front contact portion of a connector contact of the plurality of connector contacts comprises at least one flexible lip, spring-mounted and configured for contacting the rear contact portion of a receptacle contact of the plurality of receptacle contacts.

6. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is provided at the rear side thereof with a screw-thread, and wherein the receptacle socket assembly further comprises a nut configured to be screwed on the screw-thread of the receptacle; and/or wherein the receptacle comprises a substantially cylindrical front portion at the front side of the receptacle, and a substantially cylindrical rear portion at the rear side of the receptacle, and wherein the diameter of the front portion is larger than the diameter of the rear portion; wherein preferably the substantially cylindrical rear portion is provided with a flat wall portion extending in an axial direction of the receptacle, and wherein preferably the wire connector has a substantially cylindrical outer wall which is provided with a corresponding flat wall portion intended to be aligned with the flat wall portion of the receptacle in the plugged-in state of the wire connector; and/or wherein the receptacle socket assembly further comprises a gasket inserted between the nut and the front portion.

7. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of receptacle contacts comprises a configuration, the configuration being at least one of: at least two receptacle contacts for carrying power signals, preferably at least three receptacle contacts for carrying power signals, and/or one or more receptacle contacts for carrying data or control signals, preferably at least two receptacle contacts for carrying data or control signals, and/or one or more receptacle contacts for carrying power signals and data or control signals.

8. Wire connector for use in a receptacle socket assembly according to claim 1, the wire connector has a front side and a rear side, the wire connector housing a plurality of connector contacts, each connector contact being provided, at a rear end, with a wire receiving contact portion configured for receiving and fixing a wire end of a wire of a lighting equipment and, at a front end, with a front contact portion.

9. Receptacle for use in a receptacle socket assembly according to claim 1, the receptacle has a front side and a rear side, the front side being configured for receiving contacts of a control module for controlling the lighting equipment, the receptacle housing a plurality of receptacle contacts, each receptacle contact being provided, at a front end, with a front contact portion configured for being electrically connected with a contact of a control module, and, at a rear end, with a rear contact portion.

10. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of receptacle contacts comprises a plurality of first receptacle contacts and one or more second receptacle contacts, wherein seen in a radial direction around a central axis of the receptacle, the plurality of first receptacle contacts are positioned further away from the central axis than the one or more second receptacle contacts, wherein preferably the plurality of first receptacle contacts extends substantially along a first cylindrical surface around the central axis, and the one or more second receptacle contacts extends substantially along a second cylindrical surface around the central axis, and wherein more preferably the front contact portions of the plurality of first receptacle contacts extend flush with the front side of the receptacle.

11. The receptacle socket assembly of claim 10, wherein the plurality of connector contacts comprises a plurality of first connector contacts and one or more second connector contacts, wherein, in the plugged-in state, seen in a radial direction around a central axis of the receptacle, the plurality of first connector contacts are positioned further away from the central axis than the one or more second connector contacts, and wherein a receptacle contact of the plurality of first receptacle contacts is provided at its rear end with a first rear contact portion and with a second rear contact portion at a distance of the first rear contact portion; and wherein the plurality of first connector contacts comprises a first connector contact having a front contact portion in contact with the first rear contact portion and a second connector contact having a front contact portion in contact with the second rear contact portion; and wherein a receptacle contact of the one or more second receptacle contacts is provided at its rear end with a first rear contact portion and with a second rear contact portion at a distance of the first rear contact portion; and wherein the one or more second connector contacts comprises a first connector contact having a front contact portion in contact with the first rear contact portion and a second connector contact having a front contact portion in contact with the second rear contact portion.

12. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wire connector is provided with a plurality of ducts for receiving the plurality of connector contacts, the plurality of ducts protruding outwardly at the front side of the wire connector, and wherein the receptacle is provided at its rear side with a plurality of channels extending in the direction of the front side and dimensioned for snugly receiving the plurality of ducts.

13. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 12, wherein the rear contact portions of the plurality of receptacle contacts are positioned in the plurality of channels, and are configured such that they can protrude in the plurality of ducts to contact the front contact portions of the plurality of connector contacts, in the plugged-in state of the wire connector.

14. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 12, wherein a front end of each duct of the plurality of ducts is provided with an aperture configured for receiving a rear contact portion of a receptacle contact of the plurality of receptacle contacts.

15. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of ducts comprises one or more first ducts protruding outwardly at the front side of the wire connector over a first length which is different from a second length over which one or more second ducts protrude outwardly at the front side, wherein preferably one duct of the plurality of ducts protrudes more outwardly at the front side than the other ducts of the plurality of ducts.

16. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 12, wherein a length of the plurality of ducts is larger than or equal to a length of the plurality of connector contacts.

17. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of ducts comprises a plurality of first ducts and one or more second ducts, wherein, in the plugged-in state, seen in a radial direction around the central axis of the receptacle, the plurality of first ducts is positioned further away from the central axis than the one or more second ducts.

18. The receptacle socket assembly according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of first ducts protrudes outwardly at the front side of the wire connector over a first length which is larger than a second length over which the one or more second ducts protrude outwardly at the front side, wherein preferably the second and/or the first ducts protrudes outwardly in a rearward direction at the rear side of the wire connector.

19. A receptacle socket assembly for lighting equipment, the receptacle socket assembly comprising: a receptacle having a front side and a rear side, the front side being configured for receiving contacts of a control module for controlling the lighting equipment, the receptacle housing a plurality of receptacle contacts, each receptacle contact being provided, at a front end, with a front contact portion configured for being electrically connected with a contact of the control module, and, at a rear end, with a rear contact portion; a wire connector having a front side and a rear side, the wire connector housing a plurality of connector contacts, each connector contact being provided, at a rear end, with a wire receiving contact portion configured for receiving and fixing a wire end of a wire of the lighting equipment and, at a front end, with a front contact portion; wherein the rear side of the receptacle and the front side of the wire connector are configured such that the wire connector is removably pluggable in the rear side of the receptacle and such that, in a plugged-in state, the front contact portions of the plurality of connector contacts are electrically connected to the rear contact portions of the plurality of receptacle contacts, wherein the plurality of receptacle contacts comprises a plurality of first receptacle contacts and one or more second receptacle contacts, wherein seen in a radial direction around a central axis of the receptacle, the plurality of first receptacle contacts are positioned further away from the central axis than the one or more second receptacle contacts.

20. A receptacle socket assembly for lighting equipment, the receptacle socket assembly comprising: a receptacle having a front side and a rear side, the front side being configured for receiving contacts of a control module for controlling the lighting equipment, the receptacle housing a plurality of receptacle contacts, each receptacle contact being provided, at a front end, with a front contact portion configured for being electrically connected with a contact of a control module, and, at a rear end, with a rear contact portion; a wire connector having a front side and a rear side, the wire connector housing a plurality of connector contacts, each connector contact being provided, at a rear end, with a wire receiving contact portion configured for receiving and fixing a wire end of a wire of the lighting equipment and, at a front end, with a front contact portion; wherein the rear side of the receptacle and the front side of the wire connector are configured such that the wire connector is removably pluggable in the rear side of the receptacle and such that, in a plugged-in state, the front contact portion of the plurality of connector contacts are electrically connected to the rear contact portions of the plurality of receptacle contacts, wherein the receptacle is provided at the rear side thereof with a screw-thread, wherein the receptacle socket assembly further comprises a nut configured to be screwed on the screw-thread of the receptacle; and/or wherein the receptacle comprises a substantially cylindrical front portion at the front side of the receptacle, and a substantially cylindrical rear portion at the rear side of the receptacle, and wherein the diameter of the front portion is larger than the diameter of the rear portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of devices of the present invention. The above and other advantages of the features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a receptacle socket assembly;

(3) FIGS. 2A and 2B is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a wire connector of a receptacle socket assembly, seen from a front side and from a rear side, respectively;

(4) FIG. 2C is a schematic perspective view of the wire connector of FIG. 2A showing the connector contacts inside the wire connector;

(5) FIG. 3A is a schematic front view of the wire connector of FIG. 2A;

(6) FIG. 3B is a schematic rear view of the wire connector of FIG. 2A;

(7) FIGS. 4A and 4B is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a receptacle of a receptacle socket assembly, seen from a rear side and from a front side, respectively;

(8) FIG. 5A is a schematic rear view of the receptacle of FIG. 4A;

(9) FIG. 5B is a schematic front view of the receptacle of FIG. 4A;

(10) FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded view of the receptacle of FIG. 4A;

(11) FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B are schematic perspective views of embodiments of receptacle contacts for use in a receptacle;

(12) FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic perspective views of embodiments of connector contacts for use in a wire connector;

(13) FIG. 10 is a partially cut perspective view of an embodiment of a wire connector plugged-in in a receptacle; and

(14) FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a receptacle socket assembly mounted in a housing H and of a control module to be plugged in the receptacle of the receptacle socket assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(15) FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a receptacle socket assembly for lighting equipment, typically for an outdoor luminaire. The receptacle socket assembly 1000 comprises a receptacle 100, a wire connector 200, a nut 300 for fixing the receptacle 100 in an opening of a housing H, and a gasket 400 to be inserted between the receptacle 100 and the nut 300.

(16) Lighting equipment for roadways, parking lots and other outdoor areas typically use plug twist-lock control modules 500 (see FIG. 11) containing different control blocks and/or sensors (not shown). A control module 500 may comprise e.g. a light sensor for sensing the light level of ambient light to automatically switch light fixtures on at dusk and off at dawn. For uniformity throughout the lighting industry, electrical receptacles 100 for receiving such control modules 500 are mostly made according to specific standards such as standards approved by American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI). Such receptacles 100 are typically mounted on the top of a housing H (see FIG. 11) of the lighting equipment and are electrically connected to various components (not shown) of the lighting equipment through wires W. A control module 500 is plugged into a receptacle 100 to provide control for the lighting equipment.

(17) A control module 500 typically comprises three standard prongs 520 (see FIG. 11, also called plug contacts or simply contacts) which are inserted into corresponding apertures 160 in the receptacle 100. After the prongs 520 are completely inserted, the control module 500 is rotated to lock it in place. When locked in place, the prongs 520 contact the receptacle contacts 120a-c, see also FIG. 4B which will be discussed in detail below. The control module 500 may comprise further contacts 510 in the form of conductive springs for cooperating with receptacle contacts 110a-d of receptacle 100 in the form of conductive plates, see also FIG. 4B which will be discussed in detail below. Preferably, the receptacle 100 and the control module 500 fulfil the requirements of the ANSI C136.41-2013 standard.

(18) The receptacle 100 has a front side 101 and a rear side 102. The front side 101 is configured for receiving contacts of the pluggable control module (not shown). An RFID tag may be provided at or near the front side 101, as indicated with arrow 199 in FIG. 1. The receptacle 100 is shown in FIGS. 1, 4A-4B, 5A-5B, 6 and 10. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B, the receptacle 100 houses a plurality of receptacle contacts 110a-d, 120a-c. Each receptacle contact 110a-d, 120a-c is provided, at a front end, with a front contact portion 111a-d, 121a-c configured for being electrically connected with a contact of a control module, see FIG. 5B which shows the front side 101 of the receptacle 100. Each receptacle contact 110a-d, 120a-c is provided, at a rear end, with a rear contact portion 112a-d, 112a′, 122a-c, 122a′, see FIG. 5A.

(19) The wire connector 200 has a front side 201 and a rear side 202. The wire connector 200 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2A-2C, 3A-3B and 10. As shown in FIG. 2C, the wire connector 200 houses a plurality of connector contacts 210a-d, 210a′, 220a-c, 220a′. As shown in FIGS. 2C and 3B, each connector contact 210a-d, 210a′, 220a-c, 220a′ is provided, at a rear end, with a wire receiving contact portion 212a-d, 212a′, 222a-c, 222a′ configured for receiving and fixing a wire end of a wire W to be connected to the lighting equipment. As shown in FIGS. 2C and 3A, each connector contact 210a-d, 210a′, 220a-c, 220a′ is provided, at a front end, with a front contact portion 211a-d, 211a′, 221a-c, 221a′.

(20) The rear side 102 of the receptacle 100 and the front side 201 of the wire connector 200 are configured such that the wire connector 200 is removably pluggable in the rear side 102 of the receptacle 100 and such that, in a plugged-in state, see FIG. 10, the front contact portions 211a-d, 211a′, 221a-c, 221a′ of the plurality of connector contacts 210a-d, 210a′, 220a-c, 220a′ are electrically connected to the rear contact portions 112a-d, 112a′, 122a-c, 122a′ of the plurality of receptacle contacts 110a-d, 110a′, 120a-c, 120a′.

(21) Preferably, the plurality of receptacle contacts 110a-d, 120a-c comprises at least two receptacle contacts for carrying power signals and/or one or more receptacle contacts for carrying data or control signals and/or one or more receptacle contacts for carrying power signals and data or control signals. In the illustrates embodiment receptacle contacts 110a-d may be for carrying data or control signals and receptacle contacts 120a-c may be for carrying power signals.

(22) The plurality of receptacle contacts 110a-d, 120a-c comprises a first plurality of receptacle contacts 110a-d and a second plurality of receptacle contacts 120a-c. As is best visible in FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5B, seen in a radial direction around a central axis A of the receptacle 100, the first plurality of receptacle contacts 110a-d are positioned further away from the central axis than the second plurality of receptacle contacts 120a-c. The first plurality of receptacle contacts 110a-d extends in an axial direction, substantially along a first (virtual) cylindrical surface around the central axis A, and the second plurality of receptacle contacts 120a-c extends in an axial direction, substantially along a second (virtual) cylindrical surface around the central axis A, said second cylindrical surface having a smaller diameter than said first cylindrical surface. The front contact portions 111a-d of the first plurality of receptacle contacts 110a-d extend flush with the front side 101 of the receptacle 100. The first plurality of receptacle contacts 110a-d is shown in detail in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Each first receptacle contacts 110a-d has a front contact portion 111a-d in the form of a plate intended to extend flush with the front side 101 of the receptacle 100, a rear contact portion 112a-d, 112a′ intended to extend substantially in the axial direction A of the receptacle, and a connection portion 115a-d connecting the front contact portion 111a-d with the rear contact portion 112a-d, 112a′. In the illustrated embodiment one front contact portion 110a is provided with two rear contact portions 112a, 112a′. The second plurality of receptacle contacts 120a-c is shown in detail in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Each first receptacle contact 120a-c has a front contact portion 121a-c with two flexible lips 125a-c, 126a-c for receiving a contact prong of a control module, a rear contact portion 122a-c, 122a′ intended to extend substantially in the axial direction A of the receptacle 100, and a connection portion 127a-c connecting the front contact portion 121a-c with the rear contact portion 122a-c, 122a′. The front contact portions 111a-d, 121a-c of the plurality of receptacle contacts 110a-d, 120a-c extend at or near the front side 101 of the receptacle 100. In other words, the receptacle contact 110a has a split or duplicated rear contact portion comprising a first rear portion 112a and a second rear portion 112a′. Similarly, the receptacle contact 120a has a split or duplicated rear contact portion comprising a first rear portion 122a and a second rear portion 122a′.

(23) The plurality of connector contacts 210a-d, 210a′, 220a-c, 220a′ comprises a first plurality of connector contacts 210a-d, 210a′ and a second plurality of connector contacts 220a-c, 220a′. As is best visible in FIGS. 3A-3B, seen in a radial direction around a central axis A of the receptacle 100 and the wire connector 200, the first plurality of connector contacts 210a-d, 210a′ are positioned further away from the central axis A than the second plurality of connector contacts 220a-c, 220a′. The first plurality of connector contacts 210a-d, 210a′ extends substantially along a first (virtual) cylindrical surface around the central axis A, and the second plurality of connector contacts 220a-c, 220a′ extends substantially along a second (virtual) cylindrical surface around the central axis A, said second cylindrical surface having a smaller diameter than said first cylindrical surface. The plurality of connector contacts 210a-d, 210a′, 220a-c, 220a′ is shown in detail in FIG. 9A. Each connector contact 210a-d, 210a′, 220a-c, 220a′ has a front contact portion 211a-d, 211a′, 221a-c, 221a′, a wire receiving contact portion 212a-d, 212a′, 222a-c, 222a′ and a connection portion 217 connecting the front contact portion 211a-d, 211a′, 221a-c, 221a′ with the wire receiving contact portion 212a-d, 212a′, 222a-c, 222a′. The front contact portion 211a-d, 211a′, 221a-c, 221a′ comprises at least two flexible lips 215, 216, spring-mounted with respect to each other, and configured for receiving the rear contact portion 112a-d, 112a′, 122a-c, 122a′ of a receptacle contact 110a-d, 120a-c. The front contact portion 211a-d, 211a′, 221a-c, 221a′ may comprise a first portion 218 for clamping a wire end and a second portion 219 for clamping a cable sheath end surrounding the wire.

(24) FIG. 9B illustrates another embodiment of a possible connector contact 1200. The connector contact 1200 has a front contact portion 1201, a wire receiving contact portion 1202 and a connection portion connecting the front contact portion 1201 with the wire receiving contact portion 1202. The front contact portion 1201 comprises two flexible lips 1205, 1206 configured for pressing against a rear contact portion 112a-d, 112a′, 122a-c, 122a′ of a receptacle contact 110a-d, 120a-c, when inserted in the front contact portion 1201. The wire receiving contact portion 1202 may comprise a first portion 1208 for clamping a wire end and a second portion 1209 for clamping a cable sheath end.

(25) As shown in FIGS. 2C and 5A, the connector contact 210a has a front contact portion 211a intended to be in contact with the rear contact portion 112a of the receptacle contact 110a, and the connector contact 210a′ has a front contact portion 211a′ intended to be in contact with the rear contact portion 112a′ of a receptacle contact 110a′. The receptacle contact 120a is provided at its rear end with a first rear contact portion 122a and with a second rear contact portion 122a′ at a distance of said first rear contact portion 122a. The connector contact 220a has a front contact portion 221a intended to be in contact with the first rear contact portion 122a, and the connector contact 220a′ has a front contact portion 221a′ intended to be in contact with the second rear contact portion 122a′. In other words, the wire connector 200 allows connecting two wires to receptacle contact 110a, and two wires to receptacle contact 120a.

(26) As shown in FIG. 2A, the wire connector 200 is provided at its front side 201 with a plurality of elongate ducts 230a-d, 230a′, 240a-c for receiving the plurality of connector contacts 210a-d, 210a′, 220a-c, 220a′. The plurality of elongate ducts 230a-d, 230a′, 240a-c extends in an axial direction (A) of the wire connector 200. As shown in FIG. 4A the receptacle 100 is provide at its rear side 102 with a plurality of channels 130a-d, 130a′, 140a-c extending in the direction of the front side 101 and dimensioned for snugly receiving said plurality of ducts 230a-d, 230a′, 240a-c. Preferably, the position of the ducts 230a-d, 230a′, 240a-c and channels 130a-d, 130a′, 140a-c is such that the wire connector 200 can only be plugged in one position in the receptacle 100. The rear contact portions 112a-d, 112a′, 122a-c, 122a′ of the plurality of receptacle contacts 110a-d, 120a-c are positioned in the channels 130a-d, 130a′, 140a-c, and are configured such that they can protrude in the elongate ducts 230a-d, 230a′, 240a-c to contact the front contact portions 211a-d, 211a′, 221a-c, 221a′ of the plurality of connector contacts 210a-d, 210a′, 220a-c, 220a′ in the plugged-in state of the wire connector 200. More in particular, a rear contact portion 112a-d, 112a′, 122a-c, 122a′ is shaped like a blade extending in the axial direction which is received between two flexible lips 215, 216 of the front contact portions 211a-d, 211a′, 221a-c, 221a′. A front end of each duct 230a-d, 230a′, 240a-c of the plurality of ducts is provided with an aperture in the form of a slit 214a-d, 214a′, 224a-c, 224a′ configured for receiving a rear contact portion 112a-d, 112a′, 122a-c, 122a′ of a receptacle contact. The apertures in the front ends of the ducts 230a-d, 230a′, 240a-c may also be cross-shaped or T-shaped as shown in FIG. 2C in order to be able to insert a tool to remove the wire contact in case of malfunctioning thereof.

(27) The plurality of ducts 230a-d, 230a′, 240a-c comprises a first plurality of ducts 230a-d, 230a′ and a second plurality of ducts 240a-c. In the plugged-in state, seen in a radial direction around the central axis A of the receptacle 100, the first plurality of ducts 230a-d, 230a′ is positioned further away from the central axis A than the second plurality of ducts 240a-c. Similarly, the plurality of channels 130a-d, 130a′, 140a-c comprises a first plurality of channels 130a-d and a second plurality of outwardly protruding ducts 140a-c. In the plugged-in state, seen in a radial direction around the central axis A of the receptacle 100, the first plurality of channels 130a-d, 130a′ is positioned further away from the central axis A than the second plurality of channels 140a-c.

(28) As can be seen in FIG. 2A, the first plurality of ducts 230a-d, 230a′ may protrude outwardly at the front side 201 of the wire connector 200 over a length L1 which is longer than a length L2 over which the second plurality of ducts 240a-c protrudes outwardly. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the second plurality of ducts 240a-c also protrudes outwardly in a rearward direction over a length L2′, at the rear side 202 of the wire connector 200. In that manner, the total length of the first and second plurality of ducts 230a-d, 240a-c can be adapted to receive connector contacts 210a-d, 210a′, 220a-c, 220a′ having substantially the same length. The skilled person understands that also other length distributions are possible: for example, ducts 230a, 230a′, 230c and 240a could protrude at the front side 201 over a length L1, ducts 230b, 230d, 240b, 240c could protrude at the front side 201 over a length L2 different from L1, ducts 230a, 230a′, 230c and 240a could protrude at the rear side 202 over a length L1′, and ducts 230b, 230d, 240b, 240c could protrude at the rear side 202 over a length L2′ different from L1′. The lengths may be chosen such that L2+L2′ and L1+L1′ are larger than the length of the plurality of connector contacts.

(29) In a preferred embodiment, one duct 230d of the plurality of ducts 230a-d, 230a′, 240a-c protrudes more outwardly at the front side 201 than the other ducts of the plurality of ducts. This will allow inserting the wire connector 200 in the receptacle in an easier manner. Indeed, the duct 230d can function as a guide which is brought into the corresponding channel 130d before the other ducts are brought into corresponding channels.

(30) As is best visible in FIGS. 2A, 4A and 10, the receptacle 100 is provided with a first snap-fit part 150 and the wire connector 200 is provided with a second snap-fit part 250 configured to cooperate with the first snap-fit part 150 in a plugged-in state of the wire connector 200 in the receptacle 100.

(31) In the illustrated embodiment the first snap-fit part 150 is a recess formed in the rear side 102 of the receptacle 100, wherein the recess is provided with a first protruding portion 151. The second snap-fit part 250 is formed as a flexible lip with a second protruding portion 251 which snaps behind the first protruding portion 151. Such an embodiment has the advantage that the wire connector 200 can be plugged in the receptacle 100 in a tool-less manner, not requiring any screws. Indeed, the snap-fit parts 150, 250 are configured to ensure a locking action between the wire connector 200 and the receptacle 100.

(32) The receptacle 100 may comprise a substantially cylindrical front portion 181 at the front side 101 of the receptacle 100, and a substantially cylindrical rear portion 182 at the rear side 102 of the receptacle 100. The front portion 181 has larger dimensions than the rear portion 182. The rear portion 182 is intended to be arranged through an opening in a housing of a luminaire, whilst the front portion 181 abuts against a wall of the housing. The substantially cylindrical rear portion 182 may be provided with a screw thread 170 for cooperating with a corresponding screw-thread 370 of the nut 300. As shown in FIG. 1, the nut 300 may be provided with a ribbed surface or a surface with a certain surface roughness, said surface being intended for being in contact with an inner wall of the housing. This will allow to obtain an improved fixation of the receptacle 100 in an opening of the housing H. Although not shown, it is noted that the receptacle 100 may also be fixed to the housing using screws. To that end, the front portion 181 of the receptacle 100 may be provided with a number of through-holes for screws, e.g. two through-holes as shown in FIGS. 1, 5A and 5B. The channels 140a-c may extend through the substantially cylindrical front portion 181 and the substantially cylindrical rear portion 182.

(33) The receptacle 100 may be formed in one or in two or more parts. As shown in FIG. 6, the receptacle 100 may comprise a central body portion 100a and a flange portion 100b which are coupled to each other. To fix the central body portion 100a to the flange portion 100b, the central body portion 100a may be provided with a central hole 196, and the flange portion 100b may be provided with a screw receiving portion 195, such that a screw can extend through the central hole 196 into the screw receiving portion 195 to fix the central body portion 100a to the flange portion 100b.

(34) The substantially cylindrical rear portion 182 may be provided with a flat wall portion 190 extending in an axial direction of the receptacle. The wire connector 200 may have a substantially cylindrical outer wall 282 which is provided with a corresponding flat wall portion 290 intended to be aligned with the flat wall portion 190 of the receptacle 100, in the plugged-in state of the wire connector 200. In that manner the wire connector 200 can be easily aligned with the receptacle 100 when having to plug the wire connector 200 into the receptacle 100. Further the gasket 400 may be provided with a protruding edge portion as shown in FIG. 1 in order to more easily align the gasket on the rear side 102 of the receptacle 100.

(35) Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the appended claims.