Garmin GPSMAP 541s Technical Reference for Garmin NMEA 2000 Products - Page 7

NMEA 2000 Fundamentals Building a NMEA 2000 Network The main communication channel of a NMEA 2000 network is a backbone to which your NMEA 2000 devices connect. Each NMEA 2000 device connects to the backbone with a T-connector. The NMEA 2000 backbone must be connected to power, and terminators must be installed at both ends for the network to function correctly. When you design a NMEA 2000 network, start by creating a diagram of the network. When creating the diagram, be as detailed as possible: • Include all of the devices you intend to connect to your network • Note the approximate location of the backbone and devices on your boat • Measure the distances between devices and the backbone, as well as the overall length of the backbone • Note the power consumption of each device (Load Equivalency Number) Fuel sensor Marine instrument Chartplotter Intelligent transducer Ignition or in-line switch Fuse Female terminator + - Battery - 12 Vdc Power cable Backbone extension cable Drop cable T-connector Male terminator NMEA 2000 backbone Sample NMEA 2000 Network Note: This diagram illustrates the NMEA 2000 data connections to each device or sensor. Some devices or sensors can be powered by the NMEA 2000 network; others may require a separate power connection. Consult the installation instructions for each device you connect to your NMEA 2000 network to be sure you supply power to the device appropriately. When building a NMEA 2000 network, you must follow certain rules to make sure your NMEA 2000 network functions correctly. Be sure to understand the following concepts: • Linear backbone construction (page 4) • Power connection and distribution (page 5) • Proper termination (page 7) • Cable length and device limits (page 8) Technical Reference for Garmin NMEA 2000 Products