Method for operating an electric drive device

A control unit for operating an electric drive device, the control unit comprising:

• means for transmitting a current-blocking switching command to two or more switches configured to be actuated independently of one another and configured to interrupt each respective phase conductor of a voltage supply for providing a multiphase supply voltage to an electric motor, resulting in producing an initial state causing the two or more phase conductors of the voltage supply to be interrupted;
• means for transmitting, starting from the initial state, a first current-conducting switching command to at least one of the switches switching a subset of the phase conductors connected to an electrically actuatable brake for acting upon the electric motor, resulting in the brake changing from a voltage-free state causing the brake to adopt a braking position locking the electric motor, into a voltage-supplied state causing the brake, after a defined opening period being elapsed, to move into an open position releasing the electric motor;
• and
• means for transmitting, after a defined waiting period being elapsed after the first current-conducting switching command, a second current-conducting switching command to the switch or switches, switching remaining phase conductors, resulting in the remaining phase conductors also being switched to current-conducting and the electric motor being activated.