A phase reversal detector comprises a circuit for receiving an input signal subject to occasional phase reversals, a circuit for generating signals representing the quadrature components thereof, and a circuit responsive to a migration in the quadrature plane of the position of the quadrature components by an amount greater than a predetermined threshold to generate a signal indicative of a valid phase reversal. The detector is capable of exceeding the requirements of ITU standard G.165, and yet is simple to implement and works over a large dynamic range.