3
Network Backbone and Network Nodes
A network bus backbone consists of network cabling, terminators and T
connectors. Network nodes are made by fitting T-shaped connectors into
the backbone (using the sockets on the sides) and attaching a network
device to the bottom of the T.
T connectors on the backbone are the equivalent of phone jacks spread
throughout a house. To pick up a phone and hear a conversation from
another phone in the house, both phones have to be connected to the
main phone line. In similar fashion, only sensors and display units
plugged into the NMEA network can share information. The network
backbone is like the phone wiring that runs throughout a home.
LowranceNET Node Kit for a NMEA 2000 network. Includes a 2-foot
extension cable, T connector and two 120-ohm terminators.
It connects the network nodes, allowing them to communicate across the
network. Connections found in the middle of the bus could have T
connectors or backbone network cable plugged into one or both sides.
Connections at the end of a network will have the backbone cable plugged
into one side and a terminator plugged into the other.
All T connectors on your network probably will be connected to a device.
If you want to add another node to a working network, add another T
connector. T connectors may be purchased from LEI (ordering
information appears on the back page of this booklet). If you are adding a
Lowrance or LEI NMEA 2000 sensor, it will come with a T connector.
Adding a Network Node
You can add a node to any existing connection, anywhere along the
network backbone. This connection could be between a T connector and a
terminator, between two T connectors, between a T connector and a
backbone extension cable or between two extension cables. Wherever you
want to add the new node, separate the sockets of the existing connection
and install the T connector between them.
Summary of Contents for EP-DDS
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