In an NMEA 2000 device, a load equivalence number (LEN) of 1 corresponds to which current consumption?

In the context of NMEA 2000 devices, a load equivalence number (LEN) is a measure of the current consumption of network devices. Each device connected to the NMEA 2000 network is assigned a LEN value, which helps ensure that the total current consumed by all devices does not exceed the allowable limit for the network, typically defined by the maximum bus power available.

A LEN of 1 corresponds to a specified current consumption of 50 mA. This standardization ensures that devices can be easily integrated into the network without overloading the power supply. As devices with different LEN values can be mixed on the same network, knowing that a LEN of 1 equals 50 mA helps designers and users calculate the total power requirements effectively.

The other current consumption options, such as 25 mA, 75 mA, and 100 mA, correspond to different LEN values that are higher or lower than 1, providing a clear framework for understanding power requirements in the NMEA 2000 system.