Method and circuit arrangement for operating a solenoid actuator

A method for operating an electromagnetic operating mechanism includes, upon application of a control voltage, resetting and initializing a control circuit and starting a charging of a charge storage device. Subsequently, an auxiliary tripping coil and a main tripping coil are sequentially briefly energized, and, if no current flow occurs through at least one of the tripping coils, the control voltage is permanently disconnected. If a current flow occurs through each of the tripping coils, a closing coil is energized so as to move the armature to an attracted position, and the closing coil is subsequently de-energized. Subsequently, sequentially briefly energizing the auxiliary tripping coil and the main tripping coil are sequentially briefly energized without affecting the armature. Upon removal of the control voltage, the charge storage device is discharged through the main tripping coil so as to move the armature to the dropped-out position.