Abstract: A system for checking the functional state of the operating magnets in a tbed knitting machine includes a microprocessor, a keyboard, a display unit, and sensors detecting short-circuit and open-circuit conditions in the magnets and their connections. In order to avoid dismantling the machine to check the magnets, the magnets are subjected in turn to pulse sequences at respective different frequencies and their behavior is monitored. One can monitor the vibrational noise of the magnets or the rise time of current and voltage in the magnets. The checking process can be initiated automatically, for example each time the machine is started up, or controlled manually via the keyboard. Frequencies within the range of 1 to 50 Hz are preferably used.