Condensate drainage means with fault monitoring

A method for fault monitoring of a discharge valve of a condensate drainage means of a pressurized gas system, wherein the condensate drainage means includes a discharge valve including a valve element which can be actuated by a control circuit and moved between a closed position and an open position in order, in its open position, to discharge pressurized condensate from the pressurized gas system via a discharge region disposed behind the valve element and in order, in its closed position, to maintain the pressure in the pressurized gas system, wherein the method includes the following steps:

• a closing step, in which the control circuit triggers a closing movement of the valve element in the direction of the closed position, and
• a subsequent step for monitoring the closed position of the valve element,
• wherein a non-closed position is detected on the basis of a discharge flow of the pressurized gas, of the condensate or of mixtures thereof in the discharge region or at the valve element.