Are we talking about SimNet or about Ethernet? They are not the same. But either way, they can be spliced and/or connectorized in the field.
SimNet is just Simrad's version of
NMEA 2000, which is a 250kbit/s
serial signalling system based on CAN. The cable carries
power (up to 5A per spec) on one pair (usually larger) and differential signalling on a second pair (usually smaller). The cable is shielded, making for a 5th "connection."
The
NMEA 2000 specification allows for either standard connectors or terminal strips for connecting the
cables:
Quote:
Two methods are provided for connecting to the network backbone cable: barrier strips or a standard cable and connector. These connections are used for connecting segments of backbone cable together, for connecting terminations at the two ends of the cable, for connecting the network power source, and for connecting nodes.
Barrier strips are only recommended when the connections are made in a protected location, or when they are installed in a weatherproof enclosure, thus meeting the requirements for Resistance to Environmental Conditions for exposed equipment in IEC 60945. Barrier strips positions must be either numbered or color-coded in accordance with the definitions in the standard.
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Depending on your
environment you may or may not introduce
noise by breaking the shielding at a terminal strip. This can be alleviated/reduced by installing the strip in a metal box (aluminum?) and electrically connecting that box to the shield terminal.
Since all of that works within the standard splicing the same cable is just not that far away. Best practice would be to maintain the shield. There are products made to do this, or you can get a piece of tinned copper braid (if you have a piece of larger coax cable you can just grab a little braid from that), slide it over the cable before splicing, then spread it over the splice area and connect to the shield on both sides.
OTOH hand, if you are talking about Ethernet at either 10Mbits/s or 100Mbits/s (don't know of any
marine systems using Gig yet, but wouldn't be surprised) then you are probably better off connectorizing rather than splicing. Properly installed connectors minimize untwisting and result in less cross talk
introduction than having to untwist 4-5 twists on each side in order to get a splice in place.