A method for checking an installation location of a component in a failsafe automation system, wherein the components are connected to one another in series and uniquely defined addresses are continuously assigned from a first component to successor components, wherein, after the assignment of addresses to the components, a switching device is operated in the components such that a signal transit time measurement is performed incrementally with a test signal for each successor component, and wherein the test signal is emitted and re-received and the installation location of the successor component is check based on the time difference.