Bus Length

The maximum length of the trunk cable and drops both depend on the cable type and data rate.

Individual drops may not exceed 6 meters and are limited to one network node per drop.

However, the node may have multiple ports.

For each baud rate, the total drop length is the sum of all the drop lines of both cable types in

the network.

In addition, if the distance from a tap to the most distant device on its drop is longer than the

distance from the tap to the nearest terminating resistor, the drop line length also counts as part

of the trunk cable length (as well as the overall drop length).

DeviceNet Cable

Either DeviceNet thick cable or thin cable can be used.  Thick cable permits greater cable

lengths and higher current levels. Generally, thick cable is used for the trunk cable.  Thin cable

is normally used for shorter distances and is suitable for drop cables and for installations where

more cable flexibility is needed. Both thick cable and thin cable are 5-wire, multi-conductor

copper cable.  Two wires form a transmission line for network communications. A second pair

transmits network power.  The fifth conductor forms an electromagnetic shield. Most cables

have color coded leads which correspond to the color coding on the terminals on the DeviceNet

Master Module.