A method for operating a brush commutated electric motor (13). The method comprising the steps of supplying a supply signal to the brush commutated electric motor (13), estimating the timing of a commutation period for the brush commutated electric motor (13), adapting the supply signal in accordance with a predetermined scheme based on the estimated timing of the commutation period, wherein the predetermined scheme involves supplying the brush commutated electric motor (13) primarily within in the second half of the commutation period.