When my SSL device is wordclock slave, does it just pass on the received clock signal, or use its own clock generator, to feed further devices?
If your SSL device is locked as slave to an incoming wordclock signal, it does not simply "pass on" this signal to further devices. Instead, it uses its own on-board clock generator, locked to the incoming signal, to generate its own wordclock output signal and synchronize the digital output signals that contain embedded clock (MADI, ADAT or AES).
This applies to Alpha-Link, MadiXtreme, and MX4. This list is not exhaustive, but there may be exceptions. In particular, please note that some devices to not have an on-board clock generator, such as the Mixpander or Delta-Link. This FAQ does not apply to such devices.