A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The motor controller includes a voltage limiting circuit configured to be coupled to an alternating current (AC) source and is configured to limit a voltage at an output node of the AC source, a filter configured to be coupled to the AC source and is configured to produce a filtered line frequency AC signal, a rectifier coupled to the filter and configured to produce a direct current (DC) signal from the filtered line frequency AC signal, an inverter coupled to the rectifier and configured to produce an AC signal on an input node of the electric motor, and a line contactor coupled between the AC source and the input node of the electric motor and configured to supply the input node of the electric motor directly from the AC source to energize stator windings therewith when the inverter is disabled.