One embodiment describes a motor starter, which includes a first single pole switching device that opens to disconnect power from a first winding of a motor; a second single pole switching device that closes after the first switching device opens to connect power to the first winding; a third single pole switching device closes after the second single pole switching device closes to increase power supplied to a second winding of the motor; a fourth single pole switching device that opens after the third single pole switching device closes to disconnect power supplied to a third winding of the motor and to reduce power supplied to the second winding; and a fifth single pole switching device that closes after the fourth switching device opens to connect power to the third winding.