The invention relates to a method for controlling an electrical machine (10) by means of an inverter (12), in particular for use in a motor vehicle, wherein the inverter (12) has a plurality of controllable circuit breakers (14) which are designed to convert a DC voltage from a voltage source (22), which is coupled to the circuit breakers (14), into an AC voltage for supplying electrical energy to the electrical machine (10), wherein the electrical machine (10) is then switched to a freewheeling mode (32) by opening all the circuit breakers (14) of the inverter (12), wherein a phase current of the electrical machine (10) is detected, wherein the electrical machine (10) is switched from the freewheeling mode (32) to a short-circuit mode (36) as a function of a comparison (34) of the phase current, or of a first variable which is derived from the phrase current, with a first reference value, wherein the circuit breakers (14) which are associated with a first potential of the voltage source (22) are closed in the short-circuit mode (32) and wherein the circuit breakers (14) which are associated with a second potential of the voltage source (22) are opened, and wherein the electrical machine (10) is switched from the short-circuit mode (36) to the freewheeling mode (32) as a function of a comparison (38) of the phrase current, or of a second variable which is derived from the phrase current, with a second reference value.
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