The circuit of the invention provides protection for both a spur circuit and the network while allowing other spurs on the network to continue operation and is applicable to any type of fieldbus network including both FF and ASi type networks. A control circuit monitors a current limiter coupled to each spur circuit. If the spur circuit goes into an overcurrent condition for a preset period of time, the control circuit turns it off. After a second period of time has elapsed, the control circuit turns the current limiter back on permitting current to flow in the spur once again while continuing to monitor the current limiter.
