The invention relates to a method for automatically re-closing when there is a short-circuit in a line section of an electric energy supply line, whereby said section is defined by one switch respectively which comprises an allocated short-circuit detection device. According to the inventive method and after the switches have been released by a short-circuit, a re-closing instruction that is produced on the one end of the line section trips the switch on the other end. The aim of the invention is to carry out said method in such a way that the switch is treated with care as far as possible. The switch on the other end of the line section is tripped after a predetermined time delay provided that the short-circuit in the line section terminates during the time delay.