Abstract: A method for monitoring the operational reliability of rechargeable lithium cells including measuring the cell voltage and cell temperature, the cell is discharged if a predetermined cell limit voltage (UG) and a predetermined ambient limit temperature TG are exceeded at the same time, until a predetermined lower voltage level or a predetermined lower ambient temperature is reached. A circuit for carrying out the method has a first threshold value switch which responds when a predetermined upper limit voltage (UG) is exceeded in the cell, and a second threshold value switch (C) which responds when a predetermined ambient temperature limit (TG) is exceeded, and has a logic circuit (E) which connects (G) the cell to a load when the first and second threshold value switches respond at the same time, wherein both threshold value switches (C, D) are configured such that they trip when a lower cell voltage or a lower ambient temperature is reached.