You must install terminators at the ends of an NMEA 2000^® backbone for it to function correctly. You can install either two standard terminators or one female terminator and an in-line terminator on an NMEA 2000 network.

If the NMEA 2000 network is built using correct linear backbone construction, you should install one female terminator and one male terminator on the sides of the final T-connectors on opposite ends of the backbone.

	To power and NMEA 2000 devices
	Female terminator
	Backbone extension cable
	Male terminator

If the final NMEA 2000 device on the NMEA 2000 network is separated from the backbone by a long length of backbone extension cable, and the typical T-connector/drop cable/terminator combination is not feasible or is too bulky for the area, you can use an in-line terminator instead of the final T-connector on the backbone. You can connect the final device to the in-line terminator using the appropriate length of drop cable, or connect the final device directly to the in-line terminator without using a drop cable.

An in-line terminator may be useful when connecting a wind sensor or other device at the top of a mast, for example.

	This end of the backbone uses a standard female terminator connected to T-connector for the last device.
	This end of the backbone uses an in-line terminator to connect to the last device. Note how using the in-line terminator is used in place of the final T-connector and terminator.

	Female terminator
	To the final NMEA 2000 device on this side of the backbone
	NMEA 2000 power
	Backbone extension cable
	In-line terminator
	To the final NMEA 2000 device on this side of the backbone