You cannot just plug two NMEA 2000 devices together with a suitable NMEA 2000 cable – they must be connected to a properly constructed NMEA 2000 network.

• Each device has an NMEA 2000 interface that must be powered from the network
• Some smaller low power devices, like sensors are also powered from the network
• There is a small cost in setting up the network, but future expansion is very easy
• An NMEA 2000 Starter Kit is a cost effective way to build a small, expandable network