Garmin NMEA 2000 Network Fundamentals

NMEA 2000 Network Fundamentals

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A NMEA 2000 network is made of connected NMEA 2000 devices that communicate using basic plug-and-play connectivity.

This guide provides descriptions of the NMEA 2000 connectors and cables sold by Garmin, and the fundamental concepts of installing a

NMEA 2000 network on your boat. If you experience difculty installing a NMEA 2000 network, contact Garmin Product Support or a certied
NMEA 2000 technician. In the USA, contact Garmin Product Support by phone: [phone] or [phone] or go to

www.garmin.com/support/. In Europe, contact Garmin (Europe) Ltd. at +44 (0) 870.8501241 (outside the UK) or 0808 2380000

(within the UK).

If your boat already contains a NMEA 2000 network and you would like to add Garmin NMEA 2000 components, see page 8.

For a glossary of commonly used NMEA 2000 terms, see page 8.

After you have installed your NMEA 2000 network, use the checklist on page 9 to verify the installation.

Garmin NMEA 2000 Devices and Components:

Garmin uses NMEA 2000 micro connectors on units, sensors, and T-connectors that follow the NMEA 2000 standard and are compatible with
other NMEA 2000 micro connectors, cables, and NMEA 2000-compatible devices. Garmin sensors are commonly packaged with a drop cable,

a T-connector, and two terminators. Garmin displays may also include additional NMEA 2000 components (such as a power cable). The NMEA

2000 components included with a Garmin sensor or display are listed in the product documentation. A diagram on the product box shows which
NMEA 2000 components are included.

Sample Box Diagram (GFS 10)

In the sample box diagram, a complete NMEA 2000 network is shown, and the parts included with the sensor are shaded. In this example, a

T-connector and two terminators are included with a Garmin GFS 10 fuel sensor. A NMEA 2000 power cable, an additional drop/backbone
cable, and additional T-connectors are not included with a GFS 10 fuel sensor. The GFS 10 fuel sensor, as shown by the shaded components on

the box diagram, is intended to be connected to an existing NMEA 2000 network on your boat. If you do not have a NMEA 2000 network on
your boat, this guide will help you assemble one.

January 2008 190-00891-00 Rev. A Printed in Taiwan

InstallatIon InstructIons

NMEA 2000 Components

The main components of a NMEA 2000 network are T-connectors, terminators, backbone/drop cables, and a power cable.

T-connector Male Terminator Female Terminator In-line Terminator

010-11078-00 (Garmin part number) 010-11080-00 010-11081-00 010-11096-00

Power Cable

010-11079-00 (2 Meters [6.5 feet]) (3 A fuse included)

Backbone/Drop Cable

305 Millimeters (1 foot) 010-11076-03

2 Meters (6.5 feet) 010-11076-00

6 Meters (20 feet) 010-11076-01

10 Meters (33 feet) (Backbone only) 010-11076-02

Specialty Cable/Connectors

Right Angle Drop Cable, 2 Meters (6.5 feet) 010-11089-00

Field-Installable Connector - Male* 010-11094-00

Field-Installable Connector - Female* 010-11095-00

NMEA 2000 Network Power Switch K00-00368-00

*The eld-installable connectors are used to create custom-length drop cables and custom-length backbone extension cables. The eld-installable connectors can be used to

shorten any Garmin NMEA 2000 drop/backbone cable.

NOTE: All male/female connections are interchangeable. Ensure that the T-connectors are used properly when constructing your NMEA 2000 network.

See page 4.

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InstallatIon InstructIons

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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. This diagram will include important information such as:

The devices you intend to connect to your network

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The approximate location of the backbone and devices on your boat

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Approximate distances between devices and the backbone, as well as the overall length of the backbone

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Power consumption of each device (Load Equivalency Number)

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Sample NMEA 2000 Network

Intelligent transducer

Female

terminator

Fuel sensor

Marine instrument

Ignition or

in-line switch

Fuse

Battery - 12 Vdc

Power cable

Backbone extension cable

NMEA 2000 backbone

Chartplotter

Drop cable

T-connector

Male

terminator

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)

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Power connection and distribution (page 5)

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Proper termination (page 7)

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Cable length and device limits (page 8)

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InstallatIon InstructIons

Linear Backbone Construction

Use the NMEA 2000 T-connectors to construct your NMEA 2000 backbone, and extend the backbone with appropriate lengths of backbone
cable if necessary. Use one T-connector per device. Use the sides of the T-connector to construct the backbone of the NMEA 2000 network, and
use the top of the T-connector to attach a NMEA 2000 device. By using only the sides of the T-connectors to construct the backbone, you create
a linear construction to your NMEA 2000 network. T-connectors can be separated by backbone cable or connected directly together

Although the male and female connectors on the T-connectors and backbone cables will t on all sides of a T-connector, it is very important to

use only the top of the T-connector to attach NMEA 2000 devices, not to attach other T-connectors or backbone cables.

To NMEA 2000 devices

and power

T-connector

installed incorrectly

Male

terminator

(also installed

incorrectly)

Female

terminator

Backbone extension cable

CORRECT Linear Backbone Construction

To NMEA 2000 devices

and power

Backbone extension cable

Male

terminator

Female

terminator

INCORRECT Linear Backbone Construction

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