Patent ID: 8027461

Claim:
A splitter for use in a telecommunication system, the splitter comprising: a first path coupled to a telecommunication line, the first path having a first filter; and a second path coupled to the telecommunication line, the second path having a second filter and a current limiter, the second filter coupled in cascade with the current limiter, wherein the current limiter comprises a current limiting element, a current sensing element, and a feedback control element, wherein the feedback control element is coupled to the current sensing element and the current limiting element, wherein the feedback control element is configured to transmit a feedback signal to the current limiting element based on a current from the telecommunication line sensed by the current sensing element, and wherein the current limiter is configured to transition the current limiting element to an open circuit state when a voltage of the telecommunication line exceeds a threshold thereby preventing the current from passing though the current limiting element during a fault on the telecommunication line, wherein the first filter is configured to filter signals in a first frequency band, and wherein the second filter is configured to filter signals in a second frequency band different than the first frequency band.