Electrical energy distribution installation having - at least two installation areas (20, 21), - a central unit that monitors the installation areas (20, 21) and performs a network protection function for the installation areas (20, 21), and - in each case at least one input and output unit (30, 31) in each installation area (20, 21), wherein - each of the input and output units (30, 31) is connected to the central unit via a data connection and transmits state information relating to the state of the respective installation area (20, 21) to the central unit via the data connection, - the central unit is configured in such a way that it performs its network protection function using the transmitted state information and transmits control commands to the input and output units (30, 31) of the installation areas (20, 21) in the course of performing the network protection function, and - the input and output units (30, 31) are configured in such a way that they implement received control commands in their respective installation area (20, 21), wherein the input and output units (30, 31) are each equipped with a dedicated network protection function device and, in the event of an operating fault affecting the data connection or the central unit, perform the network protection function in their respective installation area (20, 21) themselves in each case by means of this dedicated network protection function device, wherein - the input and output units (30, 31) are each equipped with a data connection monitoring device that monitors the existence of the data connection and, in the case of a failure or fault in the data connection or if the central unit cannot be reached, activates the network protection function device of the respective input and output unit (30, 31); characterized in that - the central unit is configured in such a way that it transmits stored network protection function parameters to the input and output units (30, 31) when the input and output units are switched on or started up, and - the network protection function devices of the input and output units (30, 31) are each equipped with a memory that stores network protection function parameters obtained from the central unit, and - the network protection function devices are configured in such a way that they perform the network protection function on the basis of the stored network protection function parameters in the event of a fault or failure in the data connection. - at least two installation areas (20, 21), - a central unit that monitors the installation areas (20, 21) and performs a network protection function for the installation areas (20, 21), and - in each case at least one input and output unit (30, 31) in each installation area (20, 21), wherein - each of the input and output units (30, 31) is connected to the central unit via a data connection and transmits state information relating to the state of the respective installation area (20, 21) to the central unit via the data connection, - the central unit is configured in such a way that it performs its network protection function using the transmitted state information and transmits control commands to the input and output units (30, 31) of the installation areas (20, 21) in the course of performing the network protection function, and - the input and output units (30, 31) are configured in such a way that they implement received control commands in their respective installation area (20, 21), wherein the input and output units (30, 31) are each equipped with a dedicated network protection function device and, in the event of an operating fault affecting the data connection or the central unit, perform the network protection function in their respective installation area (20, 21) themselves in each case by means of this dedicated network protection function device, wherein - the input and output units (30, 31) are each equipped with a data connection monitoring device that monitors the existence of the data connection and, in the case of a failure or fault in the data connection or if the central unit cannot be reached, activates the network protection function device of the respective input and output unit (30, 31); characterized in that - the central unit is configured in such a way that it transmits stored network protection function parameters to the input and output units (30, 31) when the input and output units are switched on or started up, and - the network protection function devices of the input and output units (30, 31) are each equipped with a memory that stores network protection function parameters obtained from the central unit, and - the network protection function devices are configured in such a way that they perform the network protection function on the basis of the stored network protection function parameters in the event of a fault or failure in the data connection.