phantom circuit

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. a circuit derived from two suitably arranged pairs of wires, each pair being a circuit side circuit and also acting as one half of an additional derived circuit, the entire system providing the capabilities of three circuits while requiring wires for only two.

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Etymology

Origin of phantom circuit

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

phantom circuit

The use of phantom circuits is confined almost wholly to open-wire circuits; and while the capacity of the phantom circuit is somewhat greater than that of the physical circuit, its resistance is considerably smaller.

From Cyclopedia of Telephony and Telegraphy, Vol. 2 A General Reference Work on Telephony, etc. etc. by McMeen, Samuel

Craig hastily made sure that he had not discovered or injured the phantom circuit.

From The Dream Doctor by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

Thus, currents passing over a phantom circuit don't set up currents in the terminal apparatus of the side circuits.

From The Dream Doctor by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

Consequently, a conversation carried on over the phantom circuit will not be heard in either side circuit, nor does a conversation on one side circuit affect the phantom.

From The Dream Doctor by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

One uncanny device, which would seem to be a mere inventor's fantasy if it had not already saved the telephone companies four million dollars or more, is known as the "phantom circuit."

From The History of the Telephone by Casson, Herbert Newton