Systems and methods for freewheel contactor circuits

A method of assembling a circuit for use with a contactor including at least one contact, said method comprising:

• electrically coupling a voltage source, a first coil, a second coil, and a first transistor together to form a first segment, the first segment configured to selectively conduct a closing current through the first coil, the second coil, and the first transistor to close the at least one contact;
• and
• electrically coupling the first coil, a second transistor, and a first diode together to form a second segment, the second segment configured to selectively conduct a holding current through the first coil, the second transistor, and the first diode to hold the at least one contact closed, wherein the first diode is arranged such that all current produced by the voltage source flows through the first coil.

A method of operating a contactor circuit that includes a first segment having a voltage source, a first coil, a second coil, and a first transistor, and a second segment having the first coil, a second transistor, and a first diode, the method comprising:

• conducting a closing current through the first segment to close a contact associated with the contactor circuit, wherein the first diode is arranged such that all current produced by the voltage source flows through the first coil;
• and
• conducting a holding current through the second segment to hold the contact closed.