The invention relates to a splitting device (100) for splitting wood, comprising a support column (1) arranged vertically in the operating state of the splitting device (100), wherein a
support surface (2) for a piece of wood to be split and a splitting tool (3) for splitting the piece of wood are arranged on the support column (1), wherein for splitting the piece of wood during a splitting process the splitting tool (3) and the
support surface (2) are designed to be movable relative to each other parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support column (1), wherein - the splitting device (100) comprises a protective means (5) which stretches a
working space (4) for carrying out the splitting process, wherein the protective means (5) comprises a first leaf (5a) and a second leaf (5b), and wherein the leaves (5a,5b) of the protective means (5) are arranged pivotably each time laterally on the support column (1) about an axis which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support column (1), - on the end (51a, 51b) of at least one leaf (5a, 5b) which is remote from the splitting tool (3), an adjusting element (8) is arranged for triggering the splitting process, in particular semi-automatically, - on the end (51a, 51b) of at least one leaf (5a, 5b) which is remote from the splitting tool (3), at least one sensor unit (6) is arranged, the sensor unit (6) being designed to detect movements between the two leaves (5a, 5b) of the protective means (5) on the side of the
working space (4) which is opposite the splitting tool (3), and - the device of splitting (100) comprises a
control unit which is in communication connection with the splitting tool (3) and / or the
support surface (2) and the at least one sensor unit (6),the
control unit being designed to interrupt the performance of the splitting process upon detection of a movement between the two leaves (5a, 5b) of the protection means by the at least one sensor unit (6).,