Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating an electrical machine having an inductive component. The circuit arrangement includes an electrical switch (TR1 through TR6) that applies a pulse-shaped signal (S1 through S4) to the electrical machine. The free-running circuit also includes an electrical switch (TR1 through TR6). A comparator (15) is provided which compares the free-running current flowing in the free-running circuit with a predefined threshold value and, if the current drops below the threshold value, provides a switching signal (S3A) that is used to deactivate the switch (TR1 through TR6) in the free-running circuit. The circuit arrangement reduces both the electrical power loss in the circuit arrangement and the mechanical power loss in the electrical machine.