The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for recognizing potential overheating of an object. For this purpose the temperature of the object is measured by means of temperature sensors. A signal processing arrangement determines the temperature gradient from the measured temperature values. A comparator compares the determined value of the temperature gradient with a threshold value generated by a threshold value generator. When the threshold value is exceeded, a warning signal generator triggers a warning signal. This warning signal can be an acoustical or optical signal. In addition or alternatively, the warning signal can activate a protective measure arrangement.