Garmin 010-11078-00 NMEA 2000 T-Connector

Garmin 010-11078-00 NMEA 2000 T-Connector

The Garmin 010-11078-00 is a single-port NMEA 2000 T-connector (tee) used to branch a device off the NMEA 2000 backbone cable. It installs directly on the backbone and provides one drop-cable connection point for adding a compatible NMEA 2000 device — such as a chartplotter, autopilot control head, engine sensor, GPS antenna, depth transducer, or wind/speed instrument — to an existing or new network.

NMEA 2000 is an open marine networking standard used by all major marine electronics brands, and this T-connector is compatible with any standard Micro-C NMEA 2000 network regardless of brand. One T-connector is required per device connected to the backbone.

Part Information

• Part Number: 010-11078-00
• SKU: 322-0101107800
• Brand: Garmin
• Official Product Type: NMEA 2000 T-Connector (single drop)
• Connector Standard: NMEA 2000 / Micro-C
• Drop Ports: 1
• Network Role: Backbone tee — installs on the backbone cable to provide one device drop point

How NMEA 2000 T-Connectors Work

An NMEA 2000 network consists of a backbone cable running along the boat, with individual devices connecting to it via short drop cables. A T-connector is installed at each point on the backbone where a device needs to connect. The backbone passes through one side of the T, and the device's drop cable plugs into the single port on the branch side. Each device on the network requires its own T-connector. The backbone must be terminated at both ends with NMEA 2000 terminator plugs to function correctly.

If you need to connect multiple devices at the same backbone location, use a multi-port joiner such as the Simrad 4-Way Joiner instead of multiple individual tees.

Compatible Applications

• Any standard NMEA 2000 (Micro-C) backbone network
• Garmin chartplotters and MFDs connecting to an NMEA 2000 network
• Garmin autopilot components (course computers, control heads, rudder feedback units)
• GPS antennas and heading sensors on NMEA 2000
• Engine data interfaces and fuel sensors on NMEA 2000
• Depth transducers and speed/wind instruments with NMEA 2000 output
• VHF radios with NMEA 2000 DSC interfaces
• Cross-brand installations — Lowrance, Simrad, Raymarine, Furuno, and other NMEA 2000 devices connect to the same backbone

System Notes

• One T-connector required per device connected to the backbone
• The backbone must include a terminator plug at each end — without terminators the network will not function reliably
• Drop cable length from the T-connector to the device should be kept as short as practical (NMEA 2000 specifies a maximum drop length of 6 metres)
• This connector follows the standard Micro-C NMEA 2000 form factor and is interoperable with backbone cables and drop cables from other brands
• If building a new network from scratch, the Garmin NMEA 2000 Starter Kit includes backbone cable, tees, terminators, and a power cable as a complete starting bundle

Parts Desk Insights

Best Use Case: This tee is the right component any time you are adding a single device to an existing NMEA 2000 backbone — installing a new GPS antenna, adding an autopilot course computer, connecting a new engine interface module, or expanding a working network one device at a time. It's also the correct individual component to order when replacing a damaged tee on an existing installation without rebuilding the whole network. Because NMEA 2000 is an open standard, this Garmin tee will work on any backbone that uses the standard Micro-C connector format, regardless of what brand originally built the network.

Common Issues: The most frequent mistake is forgetting that NMEA 2000 terminators must be present at both ends of the backbone — adding a new T-connector without checking termination often results in intermittent device dropouts or nothing appearing on the network at all. The second most common issue is exceeding the maximum drop cable length (6 metres from the T to the device) — keep drop cables short and route cleanly. If a device does not appear on the network after adding a tee, power-cycle the entire network and check that all connectors are fully seated and locked. A loose Micro-C connector is the most common cause of intermittent NMEA 2000 data loss.

Related Products & Accessories

• Garmin NMEA 2000 Starter Kit 010-11442-00 — complete backbone kit including tees, terminators, power cable, and backbone cable
• Simrad 4-Way NMEA 2000 Joiner — for connecting multiple devices at one backbone location
• Simrad NMEA 2000 Micro-C Backbone Starter Kit — backbone cable starter kit for new network builds
• Ancor NMEA 2000 Single Device Starter Kit — starter kit for adding one device to an NMEA 2000 network
• Ancor NMEA 2000 Dual Device Starter Kit — starter kit for adding two devices
• Ancor NMEA 2000 Drop Cable, 3.3 ft (1 m) — short drop cable for connecting a device to a T-connector
• Lowrance N2K-T-RD NMEA 2000 T-Connector — equivalent T-connector for Lowrance/Simrad networks
• Lowrance N2KEXT-2RD 2' NMEA 2000 Extension Cable — short extension cable for tight backbone routing
• Lowrance NMEA 2000 Terminating Kit — terminator plugs required at both ends of any NMEA 2000 backbone
• Raymarine SeaTalkNG Backbone Kit — NMEA 2000-compatible network starter for Raymarine installations
• Raymarine SeaTalkNG T-Piece Connector — equivalent tee for SeaTalkNG / NMEA 2000 networks

Service Interval

No scheduled service interval. Inspect all Micro-C connector seating annually or any time NMEA 2000 devices drop off the network intermittently. Check connector locking rings for full engagement — a connector that feels seated but is not fully locked is the most common cause of intermittent data loss. In saltwater environments, inspect contacts for corrosion and apply a light coating of dielectric grease if corrosion is present. Replace the T-connector if the connector body is cracked, the locking ring is damaged, or contacts show significant corrosion.

Technical FAQ

• Do I need one T-connector per device? Yes — each device that connects to the NMEA 2000 backbone requires its own T-connector installed at the connection point on the backbone. The device then connects to the T via a drop cable.
• Will this Garmin T-connector work on a Lowrance or Simrad network? Yes — NMEA 2000 is an open standard with a standardised Micro-C connector. This Garmin tee is fully interoperable with backbone cables and devices from Lowrance, Simrad, Raymarine, Furuno, and other NMEA 2000 brands.
• What is the difference between a T-connector and a joiner? A T-connector provides one drop port for one device. A joiner (also called a multi-tee or joiner block) provides multiple drop ports at a single backbone location, allowing several devices to connect at the same point. Use the Simrad 4-Way Joiner if you need to connect more than one device at the same backbone location.
• Does my backbone need terminators? Yes — every NMEA 2000 backbone must have a terminator plug installed at both ends. Without terminators, the network will not function reliably. If you are building a new network, the Garmin NMEA 2000 Starter Kit includes terminators as part of the bundle.
• How long can the drop cable be from the T-connector to the device? NMEA 2000 specification allows a maximum drop length of 6 metres (approximately 20 ft) from the T-connector to the device. Keeping drops as short as practical improves network reliability.
• My device disappeared from the network after adding a new T-connector. What should I check? First, confirm all connectors are fully seated and the locking rings are fully engaged. Check that both backbone terminators are still in place. Power-cycle the entire network. If the issue persists, try disconnecting the newly added tee to confirm it is the source of the problem and inspect the connector contacts for damage.