It connects the network nodes, allowing them to communicate across the network. Connections found in the middle of the bus could have T connectors or backbone network cable plugged into one or both sides.
Connections at the end of a network will have the backbone cable plugged into one side and a terminator plugged into the other, as shown in the following figure.
|
| Backbone cable | |
Terminator at | Double T | (to rest of bus) | |
the end of the |
| ||
connector | Cable from | ||
backbone (bus) | |||
|
| sensor or | |
Cap for unused |
| display unit | |
|
| ||
connector |
|
|
NMEA 2000 network node located at the end of a NMEA 2000 backbone.
NOTE:
If you have a double T Connector on your network that is not attached to a device, you must cap the unused connector with a NMEA 2000 cap. This will protect the pin connectors from corrosion. The NMEA 2000 cap looks like a terminator, but has "Cap" stamped into the connector housing.
All T connectors on your network probably will be connected to a device. If you want to add another node to a working network, add another T connector. T connectors may be purchased from LEI (ordering information appears on the back page of this booklet). If you are adding a Lowrance or LEI NMEA 2000 sensor, it will come with a T connector.
Adding a Network Node
You can add a node to any existing connection, anywhere along the network backbone. This connection could be between a T connector and a terminator, between two T connectors, between a T connector and a backbone extension cable or between two extension cables. Wherever you want to add the new node, separate the sockets of the existing connection and install the T connector between them.
5
