The invention relates to a method for detecting electrical currents on or near electrical conductors with at least one reed switch as a magnetically responsive switch, which is arranged near the electrical conductor such that when there is a significant current flow through the conductor, the magnetic field created triggers the switch and initiates evaluation electronics connected to the switch. For the detection of surge current variables and differentiation between long-term pulsed currents and short-term pulsed currents, a plurality of reed switches is arranged at pre-determined, different, increasing distances from the electrical switch, the evaluation electronics determining the response and the switching times of the respective reed switches. The surge current variables are determined from the association of the determined values with the respective reed switch and the pulse shape from the switching time.