What if my NMEA Listener connected to the NBF-3 does not have an isolated input or uses ground for the negative data connection?

The NMEA 0183 specification, from version 2 (1996) onwards, requires a device’s Listener port to be isolated. Some NMEA 0183 devices however choose instead to follow version 1 of the specification which allowed for non-isolated inputs to be used.

The NBF-3 Talker/Output ports are all isolated so that an NMEA Listener (or other device) without an isolated input can be safely connected with no fear of ground-loop damage. Isolation is between every NBF-3 connection; power, Listener/Input port and all Talker/Output ports.

For more information on NMEA 0183 and how it works, please download our free guide to NMEA 0183 networking here: https://actisense.com/everything-to-know-about-nmea-0183-guide/
For more information on NMEA 2000 and how it works, please download our free guide to NMEA 2000 networking here: https://actisense.com/complete-guide-to-building-an-nmea-2000-network/