Abstract: A digital switching system comprises a plurality of digital interface cards for connection to a public telecommunications network, each card including at least one digital interface circuit with a synchronization detector for detecting a network synchronization signal. A control unit includes a system clock having a clock synchronization input. A a system bus carries data through the switching system and is connected between the interface cards and the control unit. A switch in the interface cards is operative in response to control data from the control unit and carried over the system bus in an overhead channel to connect the synchronization detector of a selected active digital interface circuit to the clock synchronization input of the system clock over a clock synchronization line so as to pass detected synchronization signals on the active circuit directly thereto. The system clock can thus be brought directly into synchronization with the detected synchronization signal of the active interface unit.