Item
Description
Garmin Part Number
Notes
Not
pictured
Field-installable
connector
010-11094-00: male
010-11095-00: female
Can be used to create a backbone or drop cable for
a custom length.
Can be used to shorten any Garmin NMEA 2000
backbone or drop cable
NMEA 2000 Glossary
Backbone: This is the main communication path of the NMEA 2000 network. The backbone can be as simple
as three T-connectors connected side to side with terminators on both ends, or can expand to include many
T-connectors separated by backbone cables. The backbone must always be constructed in a linear manner
for the network to function properly (
Linear Backbone Construction, page 6
).
Backbone Cable: Backbone cables extend the NMEA 2000 backbone to connect NMEA 2000 devices located in
different places on the boat. The maximum length of a single backbone cable is 100 m (328 ft.). Backbone
cables must connect to the sides of two T-connectors to maintain linear backbone construction, and must
never connect to the top of a T-connector (
Linear Backbone Construction, page 6
).
Device: Electronic hardware that connects to the NMEA 2000 network. A device may only transmit data to the
network, receive data transmitted by other devices on the network, or may both transmit and receive data on
the network.
Drop Cable: A cable connecting an NMEA 2000 device to the NMEA 2000 backbone. Drop cables are limited to
6 m (20 ft.) maximum length. Drop cables must connect to the top of a T-connector or to the side of an in-
line terminator (
Linear Backbone Construction, page 6
).
In-line Terminator: A special terminator that can be used in place of a male terminator (not available as a
female connector), that allows direct connection to the a device at the end of the NMEA 2000 backbone. The
inline terminator simplifies installation by not requiring a T-connector, male terminator, and drop cable for
the device at the end of the backbone (
).
LEN (Load Equivalency Number): A simplified value that represents the amount of current a device draws from
the NMEA 2000 network. A LEN of 1 = 50 mA. Each device should have an LEN specified on the product or in
the product documentation that you should use when calculating the power needs and balance of your
NMEA 2000 network (
Power Distribution and Balance, page 8
).
Network Power: 12 Vdc power supplied to the NMEA 2000 network. Power to the NMEA 2000 network should
be connected through a switch (instead of directly connected to the battery) because some NMEA 2000
devices are always on when power is present, and this may drain the battery. NMEA 2000 devices must
operate from 9 to 16 Vdc, with a nominal voltage of 12 Vdc (
Linear Backbone Construction, page 6
).
Terminator: A 120 ohm resistor located at each end of the NMEA 2000 backbone. Proper termination is
required to ensure signal integrity across the entire length of the backbone (
).
T-connector: A three-way connector with one male and two female micro connectors. A T-connector is used to
connect an NMEA 2000 device to the NMEA 2000 backbone.
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