A branch element is specified for use in a communication network, whereby in the interplay of two branch elements designed according to the invention, a cleared fault in a communication medium stretching between the two branch elements, in particular a line, with a power supply cable and a current return cable, can be recognized with the help of a test current, which can be supplied by supplying test equipment—preferably provided in each branch element—and which can be detected using terminating test equipment—likewise preferably provided in each branch element—and whereby each terminating test equipment is designed and/or provided to deactivate a bus termination assigned to the respective branch element when the test current is detected.