posted 08-13-2011 08:46 AM ET (US)
The nature of NMEA-2000 network wiring is extremely simple. Adding a device to a NMEA-2000 network should consist of nothing more than adding a new network-T wiring appliance to the network backbone and connecting a drop cable from the network-T to the new device.
NMEA-2000 Network, Typical
TERM-< <-----< <--Power-T--< <----< <-TERM
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(to 12-volts)
To add a new device to the network, all that is needed is a new T-connector and a drop cable:
TERM-< <-----< <--Power-T--< <----< <--T--< <-TERM
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| | (drop cable)
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(to 12-volts) |
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(new device)
There are some restrictions on the length of the network backbone cable and the lengths of drop cables, but on a small boat it is unlikely that any of these limitations on length could come into play with the network wiring installation.
The NMEA-2000 standard wiring devices have now settled on the DeviceNET or Micro-C connector. Most manufacturers are supporting this standard. LOWRANCE call their connectors which are compatible with the standard as LowranceNET-RED connectors. MARETRON and GARMIN use compatible connectors. RAYMARINE use a non-compatible connector (called SeaTalk-NG), but offer specialized drop cables which can be used to connect their devices to a Micro-C or DeviceNET backbone. SIMRAD use a non-compatible connector (called SIMNET) but offer specialized drop cables, too.