20
Networks
Specifications
NMEA 2000 Network
Cable Requirements
NMEA 2000 specifies the following requirements:
NMEA 2000 specifies the following wire colors:
• Power supply (+VDC): Red
• Ground (–VDC): Black
• Shield (Drain): Bare
• Data HI (Signal): White
• Data LOW (Signal): Blue
Grounding Requirements
Identify which battery supplies power to the net-
work. Connect all power supply batteries in paral-
lel. Ground the NMEA 2000 network directly to the
negative terminal of the PRIMARY or power sup-
ply battery.
See Battery Installation on p. 30.
Linear Architecture
Linear describes the NMEA 2000 network as con-
nected in a line. Assemble NMEA 2000 networks
using a “linear” architecture. Maintain the linear
architecture whenever a t-connector, buss cable,
or device is added.
Number of Devices
50 maximum.
Network Buss Length
328 ft. (100 m) maximum.
Device Cable Lengths
Individual device cable lengths: 19 ft. (6 m) maxi-
mum. Total device cable length: 256 ft. (78 m).
Refer to the current NMEA 2000 Network Guide.
NMEA 2000 Cable (Light/Micro Buss)
Maximum Current 4 AMPS
Resistance - Power Wire(s) 5.40 Ω per 100 M
Power Wire Size 22 AWG
Data Wire Size 24 AWG
NMEA 2000 Network Linear Architecture
008634
DEVICE
BUSS
DEVICE
BUSS
DEVICE
BUS
S
DEVICE
B
U
S
S
DEVICE
BUSS
DEVICE
BUSS
DEVICE
BUSS
DEVICE
BUSS
DEVICE
BUSS
DEVICEDEVICE
BUSSBUSS
DEVICEDEVICE
BUSSBUSS
DEVICEDEVICE
BUSSBUSS
DEVICEDEVICE
BUSSBUSS
DEVICEDEVICE
BUSSBUSS