A device and method for triggering an inductor having a trigger circuit and a first and second extinguishing device, the trigger circuit triggering a switch element, which establishes or interrupts a current flow to the inductor, the trigger circuit, in the interruption of the current flow to the inductor, initially operating the first extinguishing device, and, following a free-wheeling extinction time, which does not fall below a minimum time, operating the second extinguishing device, the first and second extinguishing devices extinguishing a current induced in the inductor, and the second extinguishing device extinguishing the induced current more rapidly than the first extinguishing device.