NMEA 2000 cables and connectors - Field-installable 90° micro/medium female connector

The Raymarine FA-CF-90 connector is a micro/medium-type NMEA 2000 connector designed for field installation. It is used to create custom NMEA 2000 cables directly on your boat. This provides maximum flexibility when installing or modifying a marine network, avoiding the use of pre-assembled cables with fixed lengths.

The 90° (right-angle) design of this female connector is specifically optimized for installations in tight spaces or behind panels. It allows NMEA 2000 cables to be connected where a straight connector would be too bulky or impractical, making space management on board easier.

The expression "field-installable" means this connector can be assembled and wired directly on-site, i.e., aboard your vessel. This feature provides high flexibility, as it allows installers to create NMEA 2000 cables of the exact required length or repair existing cables without needing pre-made cables.

A certified NMEA 2000 connector offers several key advantages:

Reliability: It has passed strict tests for consistent performance.Safety: It meets essential safety criteria, including electrical isolation.Secure interconnection: It ensures smooth and interference-free communication between devices.Future compatibility: It is designed to work seamlessly with other certified NMEA 2000 products, including future ones.Network management: It supports features such as priority message handling and automatic addressing.

Yes, as part of a certified NMEA 2000 system, this connector is designed to provide good immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and noise. This feature is crucial for maintaining the integrity and reliability of communication within the marine network, even in electrically charged environments.

This connector is of the "micro/medium" type. This means it is compatible with NMEA 2000 cables and networks in the Micro series, which is the most common size for small to medium-sized networks onboard vessels.

Yes, NMEA 2000-certified products, like this connector, are designed for the marine environment. They are typically tested to meet robustness and reliability standards, ensuring operation in typical sailing conditions, including humidity and temperature variations.

Absolutely. Thanks to its 90° design and ability to be field-mounted, this connector allows the creation of NMEA 2000 cables of the exact required length and routing in the most complex configurations. This reduces cable clutter and optimizes space management, particularly in confined areas or behind panels.

This connector simplifies installation by offering unmatched flexibility. It allows installers to fabricate custom NMEA 2000 cables directly at the installation site. This eliminates the need to stock or purchase pre-assembled cables in fixed lengths, which can streamline planning and execution of the installation and reduce cable waste.

Yes, its ability to be field-mounted makes it an ideal solution for repairs or modifications to existing NMEA 2000 networks. If a cable is damaged or a new connection is required in a hard-to-reach location, this connector allows precise adaptation to the vessel’s specific requirements without needing to replace entire cable runs.

Although the connector is designed to be field-mounted, assembling an NMEA 2000 connector onto a cable typically requires basic wiring tools (such as wire strippers and a precision screwdriver) and some expertise to ensure a reliable and standards-compliant NMEA 2000 connection. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer's instructions or consult a professional.

The 90° connector is particularly useful in areas where space is limited, such as:

Behind dashboards or electronic panels.Inside housings or tight compartments.When a cable must be routed along a surface or into a corner without creating excessive strain on the connection.Its shape allows for cleaner and safer cable routing.

Yes, as a micro/medium-type NMEA 2000 certified connector, it is designed to be compatible with all NMEA 2000 equipment and cables that meet the same standard and use micro/medium-sized connectors. The NMEA 2000 certification ensures interoperability between products from different brands.

The difference is significant:

An NMEA 2000 certified product has undergone over 100 rigorous tests conducted by the NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) to verify its compliance with specifications, safety, and interoperability. A product labeled NMEA 2000 "compatible" or "conforming" has not been tested or verified by the NMEA. There is therefore no guarantee that it will work harmoniously with other certified products or meet the strict safety requirements of the NMEA 2000 specification. It is always recommended to use certified products for the reliability and safety of your network.

Yes, this connector is perfectly suited for extending an existing NMEA 2000 network. Its "field-installable" design allows you to add new branches or extend cables with the precise length needed to integrate new equipment or modify the network topology without difficulty.

Yes, as long as the cables comply with the NMEA 2000 standard and are of the appropriate size (micro/medium), this connector will be compatible with them, regardless of the brand. The NMEA 2000 standard is designed to ensure interoperability between equipment and components from different manufacturers.

No, this connector is of the "micro/mid" type. NMEA 2000 networks use different connector sizes (Micro, Mid, Mini). This connector is not directly compatible with the "Mini" series connectors, which are larger and used for networks requiring more power or longer distances. It is specifically designed for the Micro/Mid series.

Yes, a key aspect of NMEA 2000 certification is electrical isolation. This ensures that products do not disrupt the network and contributes to the overall safety and reliability of the system by preventing ground loops and electrical interference between connected devices.

As a component of a certified NMEA 2000 network, this connector is part of a system that manages priority messages. The NMEA 2000 certification includes tests to ensure that the highest-priority messages always pass through, guaranteeing that critical information is transmitted without delay across the network.