Patent ID: 8786127

Claim:
A connecting apparatus for connection of field devices, comprising a bus connection for connection to a bus; a field device connection for connection of a field device; a power supply path; a first coupling unit arranged in the power supply path; a signal path; and a second coupling unit arranged in the signal path; a measurement device arranged between the first and second coupling units and the field device connection; a switching element arranged between the measurement device and the field device connection, the measurement device being configured to detect a current change and to operate the switching element such that a current flow through the field device connection is interrupted in response to the detected current change; a monitoring device configured to monitor telegram traffic on the bus; and a control unit connected to the monitoring device and configured to allow the field device to be connected only during a telegram pause; wherein the power supply path and the signal path are arranged in parallel with one another between the bus connection and the field device connection such that a supply voltage which is carried on the bus is isolated from a signal which is also carried on the bus by the first coupling unit arranged in the power supply path and by the second coupling unit arranged in the signal path.