Method for determining a fault location in an electrical network with a ring structure, wherein the ring structure comprises at least two outgoing feeders (A, B), each connected to a busbar via a protective device, and a connection connecting the at least two outgoing feeders (A, B), wherein a dependence of a location on the ring structure on a counter system resistance and/or counter system reactance of the ring structure is predetermined, wherein a length of a fault path is defined by the distance between a fault location and a protection device, wherein the method of symmetrical components is used for carrying out the method, in which an asymmetrical multi-phase system of phasors is divided into a symmetrical co-system, a counter-system and a zero-system, and wherein the following steps are carried out when a predetermined threshold value of a countercurrent excitation at a protective device is exceeded: calculating a total error current I F flowing into the negative sequence, measurement of a partial fault current ( I A, I B) flowing in the fault path by means of at least one of the protection devices connected to the fault path, and calculation of a pre-fault impedance resulting therefrom and from the total fault current I F, the pre-fault impedance ( Z A,vor, Z B,vor) being an impedance between one of the protection devices and a location at which the total fault current IF flows into the ring structure, calculating a partial counter system resistance or partial counter system reactance of the fault path using the pre-fault impedance ( Z A,vor, Z B,vor), and determining the fault location (i) from the counter system resistance using the predetermined dependence of the location on the ring structure on the counter system resistance (R A,vor) or (ii) from the partial counter system reactance using the predetermined dependence of the location on the ring structure on the counter system reactance (X A,vor) of the ring structure. wherein the ring structure comprises at least two outgoing feeders (A, B), each connected to a busbar via a protective device, and a connection connecting the at least two outgoing feeders (A, B), wherein a dependence of a location on the ring structure on a counter system resistance and/or counter system reactance of the ring structure is predetermined, wherein a length of a fault path is defined by the distance between a fault location and a protection device, wherein the method of symmetrical components is used for carrying out the method, in which an asymmetrical multi-phase system of phasors is divided into a symmetrical co-system, a counter-system and a zero-system, and wherein the following steps are carried out when a predetermined threshold value of a countercurrent excitation at a protective device is exceeded: calculating a total error current I F flowing into the negative sequence, measurement of a partial fault current ( I A, I B) flowing in the fault path by means of at least one of the protection devices connected to the fault path, and calculation of a pre-fault impedance resulting therefrom and from the total fault current I F, the pre-fault impedance ( Z A,vor, Z B,vor) being an impedance between one of the protection devices and a location at which the total fault current IF flows into the ring structure, calculating a partial counter system resistance or partial counter system reactance of the fault path using the pre-fault impedance ( Z A,vor, Z B,vor), and determining the fault location (i) from the counter system resistance using the predetermined dependence of the location on the ring structure on the counter system resistance (R A,vor) or (ii) from the partial counter system reactance using the predetermined dependence of the location on the ring structure on the counter system reactance (X A,vor) of the ring structure. calculating a total error current I F flowing into the negative sequence, measurement of a partial fault current ( I A, I B) flowing in the fault path by means of at least one of the protection devices connected to the fault path, and calculation of a pre-fault impedance resulting therefrom and from the total fault current I F, the pre-fault impedance ( Z A,vor, Z B,vor) being an impedance between one of the protection devices and a location at which the total fault current IF flows into the ring structure, calculating a partial counter system resistance or partial counter system reactance of the fault path using the pre-fault impedance ( Z A,vor, Z B,vor), and determining the fault location (i) from the counter system resistance using the predetermined dependence of the location on the ring structure on the counter system resistance (R A,vor) or (ii) from the partial counter system reactance using the predetermined dependence of the location on the ring structure on the counter system reactance (X A,vor) of the ring structure.