Method for generating an error signal indicating an error type of an error in a multi-phase electrical energy supply network, wherein - measured values are detected at at least one measurement point in the energy supply network which describe a current operating state of the energy supply network; - the measured values are transmitted to a protection device; - each potential loop of the energy supply network that can be affected by an error is evaluated with respect to the recognition of the error type of an error, by means of an evaluation device of the protection device, using the measured values; and - if an error is present, the error signal is generated, wherein - for each potential loop, the measured values and/or values derived from the measured values are evaluated by the application of at least two different protection criteria, wherein each of the protection criteria is appropriate for the identification of an error type of an error present in the respective loop thus evaluated; and - the error signal is generated in consideration of all available results for the evaluation of the protection criteria; characterized in that - the result of the evaluation of the respective protection criterion is multiplied by a weighting factor to form a weighted result; - for each potential loop, all the weighted results are combined to form an overall result; the respective result of the evaluation of the respective protection criterion is constituted in the form of a protection criteria-specific probability value, which indicates the probability, according to the protection criterion evaluated, of the presence of an error of the relevant error type; and - the respective overall result is constituted in the form of a loop-specific probability value, which indicates the probability of the presence of an error of the relevant error type in the loop considered. - measured values are detected at at least one measurement point in the energy supply network which describe a current operating state of the energy supply network; - the measured values are transmitted to a protection device; - each potential loop of the energy supply network that can be affected by an error is evaluated with respect to the recognition of the error type of an error, by means of an evaluation device of the protection device, using the measured values; and - if an error is present, the error signal is generated, wherein - for each potential loop, the measured values and/or values derived from the measured values are evaluated by the application of at least two different protection criteria, wherein each of the protection criteria is appropriate for the identification of an error type of an error present in the respective loop thus evaluated; and - the error signal is generated in consideration of all available results for the evaluation of the protection criteria; characterized in that - the result of the evaluation of the respective protection criterion is multiplied by a weighting factor to form a weighted result; - for each potential loop, all the weighted results are combined to form an overall result; the respective result of the evaluation of the respective protection criterion is constituted in the form of a protection criteria-specific probability value, which indicates the probability, according to the protection criterion evaluated, of the presence of an error of the relevant error type; and - the respective overall result is constituted in the form of a loop-specific probability value, which indicates the probability of the presence of an error of the relevant error type in the loop considered.