A method and a correspondingly configured device detect damage or defects in a support, including at least one tension member, for an elevator system. A pulse generator generates at least one electrical digital input signal that represents at least one first binary number and is fed to the tension member. After the digital input signal has passed through the tension member, it is detected as a digital output signal that likewise represents at least one second binary number. The second binary number is then compared, in particular compared digit by digit or bit by bit, with a setpoint binary number and/or directly with the first binary number. Damage in the tension member is determined on the basis of an issued comparison result. If the second binary number deviates from the setpoint binary number and/or from the first binary number, a fault message is generated.