Protection arrangements for communications lines

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Abstract of the Disclosure, A protection arrangement for a two-wire line such as a, telephone subscriber line, includes a transformer having two primary windings and a secondary winding. The primary windings are connected in series with the wires of the line with phases such that common mode (longitudinal) currents on the line induce a current in the secondary winding, whereas loop currents do not. The induced current in the secondary winding is amplified and used to trigger a protection device, such as a triac or SCR and diode bridge arrangement, to short circuit the line for the duration of any excessive current thereon.