Actisense targets large-scale installs with 100m NMEA 2000 cable reel
Actisense, the award-winning NMEA electronics specialist, has introduced a new 100-metre bulk cable reel for its NMEA 2000 MID cable, designed to support the creation or extension of marine electronics backbones of up to 250 metres.
The cable (A2K-BULK-100M-MID), is compatible with Actisense’s Quick Network Block (QNB-1) and its Field Fit Connectors (FFC), enabling flexible custom installations. It is supplied with a Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) outer jacket, which, according to the company, improves fire safety by reducing the emission of toxic fumes and smoke.
The five-core waterproof cable includes power and ground wires, two data signal wires and a drain wire. The drain wire is connected to a shield that protects the internal conductors from external radio frequency interference (RFI) and reduces RFI emissions from the cable.
The LSZH jacket complies with IEC 60754-1/2 and IEC 61034-1/2 standards and is designed to emit less smoke and fewer harmful gases compared to traditional PVC cables when exposed to fire. Actisense states that this enhances safety for vessel occupants and first responders, as well as improving visibility in evacuation scenarios.
Justin Cohen, head of commercial at Actisense, tells MIN: “The cable was requested by a number of our customers. They wanted the benefits of NMEA 2000 MID cables – which feature a lower voltage drop than micro/lite cables, as well as the environmental benefits of a Low Smoke Zero Halogen cable jacket, to minimise the release of harmful smoke and toxic gases if burned.
“The cable has been thoroughly tested and is compatible with our popular NMEA 2000 field fit connectors, making it simple and stress free to create an NMEA 2000 backbone up to 250m long.
“It is also purposefully purple in colour by design – making it much easier to identify backbone cable on the network as opposed to the other device cables onboard.”
The cable supports standard NMEA 2000 installation requirements (NMEA is a standard data format supported by all GPS manufacturers), with a maximum allowable drop cable length of six metres and a total drop length across the system not to exceed 72 metres. To help installers stay within these limits, Actisense offers pre-assembled drop cables ranging from 0.25 to 6 metres in length.
Technical specifications include a rated voltage of 60V DC and a rated current of 8A. The outer diameter is 8.2mm, and the cable uses a combination of tinned copper braid and aluminium Mylar shielding. Impedance is rated at 120Ω ±10% at 1 MHz, and attenuation levels range from 0.29 dB/100 ft at 125 kHz to 0.70 dB/100 ft at 1 MHz.
The product is NMEA 2000 certified, RoHS compliant and UL certified under standards UL13 and E137250.
Actisense is based in Poole, Dorset, UK, and specialises in the design and manufacture of marine electronic equipment. The company is a member of the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) and contributes to the development of marine communication standards.
