the overload clutch 5 when for any reason for example through accidental failure to connect the pulse generator elements 9 1 9 2 the two channel decoupling circuit and consequently also the counter 6 are not operated at all a timing element 20 is connected in parallel to the input of each channel 10 1 10 2 the outputs of this timing element being connected to the signal generator 17 by way of an or gate in parallel to the output of the decoding stage 16 when the circuit arrangement is put into operation each of these timing elements 20 is set and if no pulse arrives from the appertaining pulse generator elements 9 1 or 9 2 before expiry of the adjusted period of time the respective timing element 20 will drop back and transmit an output signal to the signal generator 17 in order to disconnect the two parts of the overload clutch 5 from one another as a precaution since otherwise the overload clutch 5 would not be monitored by the circuit arrangement described if no pulses arrive from the pulse generator elements 9 1 or 9 2 the appertaining timing element 20 thus runs down and by means of the signal generator 17 disengages the overload clutch 5 the closing of a contactor 22 resets the signal generator 17 but does so only when both the timing elements 20 have run down with the reset signal of a reset circuit 21 the signals produced by the timing elements 20.