A motor starter or contactor having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag incorporated therein for accurate determination of the position of contacts in the motor starter/contactor is disclosed. The motor starter/contactor includes separable contacts comprising a fixed contact structure and a movable contact structure having a closed position and an open position. An electromagnet is also included in the motor starter/contactor that is arranged to translate the movable contact structure between the closed position and the open position. An RFID tag is positioned on or adjacent the separable contacts to indicate the position of the movable contact structure in the motor starter/contactor.