A method for obtaining an indication of a faulty load condition of a multi-phase electric motor includes: (a) starting, a time measurement unit, (b) measuring a recirculation time interval for as long as a current that continues to flow has a magnitude larger than a threshold value, (c) continuing, in case the recirculation time interval is not terminated during the switch-off interval, the time measurement at least in a next switch-off interval, (d) repeating, for additional switch-off intervals the steps (a), (b), and (c) for respective motor phases, (e) comparing (1) the measured recirculation time intervals for respective motor phases with each other and/or (2) for one motor phase in sequential succession with each other and/or (3) with the expectation value of the respective motor phase, and (f) determining, based on a deviation, the indication of the faulty load condition.