Abstract: A power-off electromechanical brake employs a friction disk compressed between a ferromagnetic clapper plate and a pressure plate. An electromagnet may pull the clapper plate away from the friction disk or the pressure plate and clapper plate may be separated by free floating spacer elements held within a rotating race positioned between the clapper plate and the pressure plate. In a first mode, cavities in the clapper plate receive spacer elements held within the race and the friction disk is compressed. In a manual release mode, the spacer elements no longer engage with the cavities and separate the pressure plate and clapper plate.