A method for controlling an electrical consumer is provided. The electrical consumer is coupled to an electricity supply grid using a frequency converter. The electricity supply grid has a line voltage and is characterized by a nominal line voltage. The electricity supply grid is monitored for a grid fault in which the line voltage deviates from the nominal line voltage by at least a first differential voltage. When the grid fault occurs, the electrical consumer remains coupled to the electricity supply grid, and a power consumption of the electrical consumer is changed on the basis of the deviation of the line voltage from the nominal line voltage.