Abstract: An electrically controlled brake includes a rotatable first mechanical system and a second mechanical system that is stationary or fixed. The two systems have friction surfaces/parts that can be made to come in engagement with each other, providing a braking effect, and be withdrawn from each other releasing the braking effect. In the second system, windings can be wound around two braking shoes made from soft magnetic material so that an electric current flowing in the windings affects magnetic fluxes through the soft magnetic parts to move at least one thereof. The movement is in a direction that affects the effective width of an air gap in the closed main magnetic path. The electric current gives attraction forces over the air gap which tend to move the braking shoes to reduce the length of the air gap. A spring that e.g.