Abstract: In an electromagnetic device a magnet arrangement is provided having an electromagnet and a permanent magnet, with the pole faces of the permanent magnet abutting the core of the electromagnet on both sides of the end portions of the coil of the electromagnet and the end portions of the core of the electromagnet forming or supporting the pole pieces of the magnet arrangement. The poles of the permanent magnet are adjacent the like poles of the electromagnet when the electromagnet is energized, and the maximum value of the energizing current of the electromagnet is sufficient but not greater than necessary for reaching the first practical saturation value of flux density in the pole ends of the core of the magnet arrangement with the permanent magnet removed therefrom.