NMEA 2000 Network Design and Maintenance Tools

... Read More

The backbone, or trunk line, is the main network line usually running stem to stern in the vessel. Each end of the backbone or trunk line has a termination resistor. Individual products are connected to the network using drop lines off the main... Read More

If possible, you should consider using overmolded double-ended cordsets since they are less expensive and they tend to be more reliable than cables made using bulk cable and field-attachable connectors. Unfortunately, overmolded double-ended cordsets... Read More

Manufacturers of NMEA 2000 equipment are required to disclose the amount of current drawn from the NMEA 2000 network. The amount of current used from the network is expressed as a Load Equivalence Number (LEN) where each LEN is equal to 50mA. For... Read More

Every NMEA 2000 network requires a power source or powertap, a backbone or trunk line with a terminator at each end, and two or more NMEA 2000 products connected with drops from the trunk line. You "tee" off of the backbone with drop cables to the... Read More

The maximum allowable current that a device is allowed to draw from the NMEA 2000 network is 1 ampere. Devices requiring more than 1 ampere of current use a separate power supply connection, which is required to be isolated from the NMEA 2000 power... Read More

A Load Equivalence Number or LEN is a whole number used to express the amount of current that is drawn from an NMEA 2000 network. One LEN is equal to 50mA. If a device draws 151mA of current from the network, then its LEN is 4. Note that the LEN is... Read More