A bus node is capable of performing a method, for the assigning of bus node addresses to bus nodes of a serial data bus. The method is performed with the aid of bus shunt resistors in the individual bus nodes in an assignment time period. After assigning bus node addresses to the bus nodes of the serial data bus system in the assignment time period, there follows an operating time period. For this purpose, the bus node comprises such a bus shunt resistor. The bus node is characterized by a bus shunt bypass switch which, prior to assigning a bus node address to the bus node in the assignment time period is opened and which after the assignment of bus node address to the bus node in the assignment time period is closed, and which is closed in the operating time period.