A two-wire circuit uses a single line to transmit data in both directions, while a four-wire circuit uses two separate paths so that communication can occur in only one direction per path, allowing for full-duplex communication. A two-wire circuit has only one channel for transmission in both directions, whereas a four-wire circuit separates the transmission paths for each direction of communication.
2. Two - Wire Circuit
A metallic circuit formed by two conductors insulated from each other;
in contrast with a four-wire circuit, it uses only one line or channel for
transmission of electric waves in both directions.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright 息 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
3. Four - Wire Circuit
A two-way circuit using two paths so arranged that communication currents are
transmitted in one direction only on one path, and in the opposite direction on the other
path; the transmission path may or may not employ four wires.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright 息 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.