Which gauge combination correctly describes the Mid cable's power and signal/data gauges?

Which gauge combination correctly describes the Mid cable's power and signal/data gauges?

• A. Power #16 and Signal #20
• B. Power #15 and Signal #18
• C. Power #18 and Signal #22
• D. Power #18 and Signal #20

Answer: (A)

Power and signal/data conductors on an NMEA 2000 Mid cable are chosen to balance delivering enough current with maintaining reliable CAN signaling. The power line must carry current to devices along the run, so a thicker conductor is used to minimize voltage drop and heat. The signal/data pair, which carries the CAN bus communication, uses a smaller conductor because the data itself doesn’t require high current; it relies on impedance, shielding, and the twisted-pair arrangement to keep the signal clean. Therefore, using a 16 AWG for the power path provides adequate current-carrying capacity, while 20 AWG for the signal/data line maintains proper signaling characteristics without unnecessary bulk. The other options would compromise power delivery (too small a power conductor) or use an unnecessarily large data conductor, which isn’t needed for CAN signaling.

Power and signal/data conductors on an NMEA 2000 Mid cable are chosen to balance delivering enough current with maintaining reliable CAN signaling. The power line must carry current to devices along the run, so a thicker conductor is used to minimize voltage drop and heat. The signal/data pair, which carries the CAN bus communication, uses a smaller conductor because the data itself doesn’t require high current; it relies on impedance, shielding, and the twisted-pair arrangement to keep the signal clean. Therefore, using a 16 AWG for the power path provides adequate current-carrying capacity, while 20 AWG for the signal/data line maintains proper signaling characteristics without unnecessary bulk. The other options would compromise power delivery (too small a power conductor) or use an unnecessarily large data conductor, which isn’t needed for CAN signaling.