Methods may be provided to control an electro-permanent magnetic device powered from an AC mains power source provided through first and second power lines of a controller, wherein a first switch is provided on the first power line between the AC mains power source and the electro-permanent magnetic device and a second switch is provided on the second power line between the AC main power source and the electro-permanent magnetic device. In particular, a sequence of switching pulses may be transmitted through the first and second switches to change a magnetic state of the electro-permanent magnetic device. Related controllers are also discussed.