a method for testing an electromagnetic flowmeter and a flowmeter are described , the flowmeter having a measuring tube and a coil arrangement for generating a magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of flow through the measuring tube , the current direction in the coil arrangement being periodically changed . in this connection , it is desirable for simple monitoring to be possible . for that purpose , after changing the current direction , at least one parameter of the current rise is determined and this is compared with a reference value . for this , the flowmeter has a testing device which , after a change - over of the current direction , determines at least one parameter of the rise in the current in the coil arrangement and compares it with a given value .