A rotary encoder includes a first group of components and a second group of components. The first group of components has a pulse wire, a detector, and a circuit configuration. The second group of components has a magnet and a code element. Upon approach of the magnet to the pulse wire, a voltage pulse is able to be generated by the pulse wire. A signal is able to be generated by the detector as a function of the relative position, and based on the signal, a logic circuit is able to ascertain position information which is able to be stored in a non-volatile memory. Triggered by the voltage pulse, a voltage from a voltage source is able to be applied to the circuit configuration. The circuit configuration is disconnectable again from the voltage source at the latest after the storage of the position information in the memory.