Motor controllers and methods for controlling drive circuit bypass signals

An induction motor comprising:

• a plurality of windings;
• and
• a motor controller coupled to said plurality of windings, said motor controller comprising:
• a drive circuit configured to generate variable frequency power based on input power received from a power source;
• and
• a drive contactor coupled between an output of said drive circuit and said plurality of windings, said drive contactor configured to:
• couple said drive circuit to said plurality of windings when a drive enable signal is received from an external controller;
• and
• decouple a line power enable signal from a line contactor by the external controller based on a presence of the drive enable signal, the line contactor configured to couple said plurality of windings directly to the power source when the line power enable signal is received by the line contactor.

A method of operating an induction motor, said method comprising:

• providing a drive circuit configured to generate variable frequency power based on input power received from a power source;
• coupling a drive contactor between an output of the drive circuit and the induction motor;
• coupling, by the drive contactor, the drive circuit to the induction motor when a drive enable signal is received from an external controller;
• and
• decoupling, by the drive contactor, a line power enable signal from a line contactor by the external controller based on a presence of the drive enable signal, wherein the line contactor is configured to couple the induction motor directly to the power source when the line power enable signal is received by the line contactor.

A motor system for controlling a motor, said motor system comprising:

• a drive circuit configured to generate variable frequency power based on input power received from a power source;
• and
• a line contactor coupled between the power source and the motor, said line contactor configured to:
• couple the power source to the motor when a line power enable signal is received;
• and
• decouple a drive enable signal from said drive circuit while receiving the line power enable signal, the drive enable signal operable to enable said drive circuit to provide the variable frequency power to the motor.