A method is specified for fault identification when operating a rotating-field motor by means of a pulse-controlled inverter, wherein electromagnetic state variables of the rotating-field motor are determined by means of a mathematical model in space-vector form, and wherein the pulse-controlled inverter is operated electronically using space-vector variables. In this case, the invention provides that, during the operation of the rotating-field motor, the space vector of an uncontrolled state variable of the rotating-field motor is formed, in that the space vector that is formed is analyzed for a spectral component at twice the frequency of the rotating field, and in that, if the spectral component at twice the frequency is present, a partial turns short is deduced in the stator windings.