Abstract: A differential protection method for generating a fault signal. Current measurement values are acquired at different measuring points of a component. Differential current values and stabilizing values are formed using the current measurement values, and the fault signal is generated when a tripping range test indicates that a measured value pair formed from one of the differential current values and a respective associated stabilizing value lies in a predetermined tripping range. Differential current values are estimated from successive differential current values and associated stabilizing values and associated estimated stabilizing values are formed. A value of an expected future trend of the differential current values and of the stabilizing current values is estimated. A tripping range test finds the position of a measured value pair formed from an estimated differential current value and the respective associated estimated stabilizing value.