In an apparatus for operating a read/writer, including an antenna and a read/write unit, for communication with an identification medium via a communication link, a read/writer supply and a read/writer have a breakable connection arranged between them. When there is a contactless (operative) interconnection between the external power supply and the read/writer, the connection between the read/writer supply and the read/writer is open and the read/writer can be operated with the identification medium.