Surge arrester for DSL, ADSL, ADSL2+ and ISDN. Surge protection device for a two-wire analog and digital telecommunications interface (e.g. DSL or ISDN). Two-part plug-in design, consisting of a plug and base element for mounting on a mounting rail. Two-stage protective circuit consisting of coarse protection and fine protection between the signal wires as well as decoupling resistors and additional longitudinal voltage coarse protection to earth. Mechanical coding of the plug to the base element according to circuit type and nominal voltage. Protective plug with coding pin and counter profile in the base element. Labeling option on the plug and base element.