This Standard specifies the electrical characteristics of generators and receivers that may be employed when specified for the interchange of binary signals in multipoint interconnection of digital equipment. When implemented within the guidelines of this Standard, multiple generators and receivers may be attached to a common interconnecting cable.

An interchange system includes one or more generators connected by a balanced interconnecting cable to one or more receivers and terminating resistors. The electrical characteristics of the circuit are specified in terms of the required voltage, current, and resistance values obtained by measurements at the equipment interconnect points.

This Standard does not specify other characteristics, such as signal quality, timing, protocol, pin assignments, power supply voltage, operating temperature range, etc., that are essential for proper operation of interconnected equipment. Any devices complying with this Standard shall do so within the ranges of those factors appropriate for the device operation, such as power supply voltages, and ambient temperature. It is intended that this Standard be referenced by other standards and specifications that specify the additional characteristics necessary to assure satisfactory interoperation of equipment.

This Standard is compatible with ISO/IEC 8482:1993 Information Technology - Telecommunications and information exchange between systems - Twisted pair multipoint interconnections.