The aim of the invention is to improve the efficiency and handling of a test device (4) for testing a protection relay (2). This is achieved by a method and a test device (4). A signal (S) is generated in a test device (4), and the signal (S) is applied to the protection relay (2). An adaptation device (X) which can be found in the test device (4) is supplied with a supply voltage (Uv) by an accumulator (5), and the adaptation device (X) supplies a signal generator (G) with an intermediate voltage (Ux), said signal generator generating the signal (S). The use of an accumulator (4) allows fuel-supplied power units to be obviated. The use of an adaptation device (X) allows the supply voltage (Uv) of the accumulator (5) to be converted into small intermediate voltages (Ux) and the small currents of the accumulator (5) to be converted into high currents in order to supply the signal generator (G) for example.
