Methods and associated devices are described for discharging the high-voltage network, particularly a DC voltage intermediate circuit, in which for discharging the capacitors of the high-voltage network, switching devices are used that lie between the capacitors and at least one precharging resistor and a high-voltage battery, and the switching devices are switches having a specifiable positioning of the switching contacts or switching units or relays or contactors, which are switchable with the aid of a control device. The operation of the switching units takes place in such a way that the at least one precharging resistor is used simultaneously for charging and discharging the DC voltage intermediate circuit.