A method protects an electrical generator or power station unit connected to a power distribution network or to a power transmission line. A short circuit near the generator in the power distribution network or on the power transmission line is detected, and a short-circuit detection signal is generated, when a set of predetermined trigger conditions is satisfied. The electrical generator is disconnected from the network or line if, after generation of the short-circuit detection signal, the trigger conditions are satisfied at the instant when a predetermined delay time elapses, and have remained satisfied until the predetermined delay time elapses. The delay time is a variable duration which is reestablished regularly or irregularly before it elapses, as a function of the operating profile after the short-circuit occurrence, and the generator is disconnected if the trigger conditions are satisfied at the instant when the delay time elapses.