Method for operating a generator connected to an energy supply network

Method for operating a generator (2) connected to a power supply network (1), in particular a synchronous generator, during a network fault in the power supply network (1), in particular during an electrical short circuit, wherein an electrical excitation of the generator (2) is at least temporarily reduced as a function of the value of at least one operating variable of the generator (2) before the network fault and/or during the network fault.