An electric motor control system including an electric motor having a winding with a first and second end, a motor controller having a phase lead, the motor controller operable to direct a phase current to the phase lead. The electric motor control system also includes a first switching device that provides an electrical connection between the phase lead and the first end of the first winding when in a disabled state, and thereby flowing the phase current from the phase lead to the first end of the first winding, and a second switching device operably connected to the motor controller and providing an electrical connection between the second end of the first winding and a common point, when in an enabled state. The motor controller is operable to change the state of the first switching device to enabled, and the second switching device to disabled, under selected conditions.