In local networks, a Repeater is used to connect two Ethernet segments. This can be used to increase the max. permitted extension of a network segment. Repeaters pass on data packets from one network segment to another; in doing so the electrical signals are refreshed in keeping with the standards, but the contents of the data packets remains unchanged. If the Repeater detects a physical fault on one of the connected segments, the connection to this segment will be isolated (“partitioned”). The partitioning will be lifted automatically when the fault is no longer present.