Protection of a motor controller from a transient voltage is described. A method for protecting a motor controller from a transient voltage includes providing an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter having at least a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first output terminal, and a second output terminal, the EMI filter configured to suppress electromagnetic interference. The method also includes coupling a first voltage clamping device and a second voltage clamping device in series between the first output terminal and the second output terminal. The method also includes coupling a spark gap device to a ground conductor and to a shared node between the first voltage clamping device and the second voltage clamping device.