Abstract: A DC control circuit for limiting metallic and longitudinal currents flowing in a balanced telephone line, and maintaining a predetermined DC bias voltage on tip and ring leads of the balanced line. A negative feedback path is established for monitoring voltage on the tip lead, comparing the monitored voltage with a predetermined offset bias voltage and generating a DC signal for application to tip and ring driver circuits for application to the balanced line in response thereto. Longitudinal and metallic currents are detected in a further pair of differential amplifiers for generating further DC signals such that a voltage corresponding to the detected longitudinal current is generated and applied to the tip lead, whereby a first one of the further pair of differential amplifiers adjusts the generated DC bias signal for limiting the longitudinal current flowing in the tip and ring leads.

Abstract: A circuit for switching one of two impedance networks to a line carrying AC signals comprising a unity gain amplifier having differential inputs connected across the first one of the impedance networks, and one of the differential inputs and an output connected across the second one of the impedance networks, and a microprocessor control terminal connected to the other of the differential inputs for applying one of either a high impedance or AC ground thereto. The circuit is small, inexpensive, requires no electromechanical parts, and takes up very little circuit board area.