A motor control circuit is provided for connecting or disconnecting an AC voltage to an AC motor, having a switch having two switch contacts, configured to respond to a process variable and move between open and closed switch contact positions to connect or disconnect the AC voltage to the AC motor; and a snubber circuit arranged across the switch contacts in parallel with the AC motor, and configured to respond to motor inductance when the switch is moved between the open and closed switch contact positions, and provide arc suppression in the switch by dissipating energy stored in the motor inductance. The snubber circuit may include a network having a resistor connected in series with a capacitor, or a metal oxide varistor, or a transient voltage suppressor.