Back-to-back connection

Contents

Telecommunications

In telecommunications, a back-to-back connection is a direct[1] connection between either:

  1. the output of a transmitting device and the input of an associated receiving device. When used for equipment measurements or testing purposes, such a back-to-back connection eliminates the effects of the transmission channel or medium.
  2. the output of a receiving device and the input to a transmitting device.
Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188

Electronics

A back to back connection is 2 identical or similar components connected in series with the opposite polarity. This is used to convert polarised components to non-polar use. Common examples include:

Power transmission

A back to back connection in energy transmission is found where an HVDC system is used where both stations are on the same switchyard. Such device is used for coupling asynchronously operated power grids or for connecting power grids of different frequency and/or phase count where no DC transmission is necessary.

Notes

  1. ^ The term direct may be construed as permitting a passive device such as a pad to accommodate power level constraints.