Abstract: A safety valve comprises a valve seat and a spring-loaded first control piston that is axially moveable with respect to the valve seat. The valve seat and the first control piston each having a central channel for a branched-off portion of a transported pressure medium. The first control piston central channel has an annular surface that is in fluid communication with the pressure medium. A spring is supported at one axial end by a flange of the first control piston and at an opposite axial end by a switching element. When the pressure medium reaches a predetermined operating pressure, the switching element is moved axially, through the release of an arresting mechanism, to that side which faces away from the valve seat to relieve the fluid pressure.