Abstract: A linear motor comprises a stator (1) which has a longitudinal axis (16), and an armature (2) which is movable relative to the stator (1) between two end positions in the direction of the longitudinal axis (16). Either the stator (1) or the armature (2) has energizable electric coils (12) and the armature (2) or the stator (1) is excited by a permanent magnetic field which is periodic in the direction of the longitudinal axis (16). The linear motor further comprises a position detection system (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) for detecting the position of the armature (2) relative to the stator (1). The position detection system (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) is a contactless operating position detection system which is adapted to generate a signal that corresponds to the distance between a reference location (11a; 15a) on the stator (1) and a reference location (24a) on the armature (2).