Abstract: The drive arrangement suitable especially for a hoist mechanism comprises a pole-changing two-speed three-phase motor which is united into one construction unit with a friction brake which can be released by an electromagnet. The two three-phase field windings dimensioned for different pole numbers are connected in star circuit arrangement and have star points conducted out at the motor terminal box of the three-phase motor. The electromagnet of the friction brake is connected through a rectifier circuit arrangement to the star points and when the three-phase motor is switched on is energized by the differential voltage then occurring between the two star points for the release of the friction brake.