A power system is provided comprising an electric universal motor including an armature rotatable coupled to an armature shaft and a commutator disposed on an armature shaft, a pair of brushes engaging the commutator, and a field having at least two field windings electrically coupled in series with the pair of brushes. The power system includes a power line having two terminals arranged to provide alternating-current (AC) power from a power supply, and a power switch provided in series with the field windings on a power line to provide AC power from the terminals to the motor when the power switch is closed. An electronic brake module is provided in the power system and configured to generate a braking force to stop the motor when the switch is opened, the electronic brake module comprising: a solid-state semiconductor switch arranged across the motor armature and the pair of brushes, a first diode arranged between a first node of the power line and the semiconductor switch, and a second diode arranged between a second node of the power line and the semiconductor switch, wherein the first node is arranged between one of the terminals and the power switch, and the second node is arranged between the power switch and the armature. A controller is provided in the power system and configured to initiate a braking mode of operation to close the semiconductor switch when the power switch is opened.