The increasing use of semiconductor technology has made exchange equipment more susceptible to damage from overvoltage and overcurrent conditions, and thus prompted the need for more sophisticated electrical protection techniques. This paper outlines British Telecom's electrical protection strategy for an exchange interface, and describes how new protection components have been utilised to provide cost-effective solutions. Protection schemes are now being developed for electronic equipment installed remotely within the existing local network, and also for emerging networks such as the ISDN.