Preventative function control in electromagnetic spring pressure brakes is disclosed. Initially, the spring pressure brake is controlled by voltage. Next, state variables current and voltage are measured. Subsequently, a determination variable is determined and summed over a first range, which extends from a starting point of actuation to a point at which an armature disk begins to move. At the point, current value is detected at which movement of the armature disk begins. The determination variable is summed over a second range, which extends from the starting point, when the current reaches the value detected above, up to a constant current. Subsequently, a ratio is calculated from the sum of the determination variable over the range to the sum of the determination variable over the first and second ranges. Upon reaching a predetermined value by the value of the ratio, a state signal is output.