A power module for driving a motor is provided including a power circuit board, power switches operatively connected to the motor disposed on a first side of the circuit board, and positional sensors disposed on a side surface of the power circuit board facing the motor. The power circuit board includes a thermally-conductive core carrier layer, a first electrically-insulating layer disposed on a first surface of the core carrier layer and on which the power switches are mounted, and a second electrically-insulating layer disposed on a second surface of the core carrier layer and on which the positional sensors are mounted. The second electrically-insulating layer is etched to expose the conductive core layer on at least approximately 70% of a surface area of the second side of the circuit board.