Managing line power for network elements in an access network. In one embodiment a current sense system in a line power network is disclosed. The current sense system includes a power supply, a splitter and a sense circuit. The power supply is adapted to supply output current to a twisted pair drop. The splitter is adapted to combine communication signals and the output current on a twisted pair drop. The sense circuit is coupled to sample the output current of the power supply between the power supply and the splitter. The sense circuit is further adapted to output a sense signal that is representative of the output current.