SOFT CLAMP CIRCUIT FOR MOTOR DRIVER SUPPLY RAIL WITH REVERSE POLARITY PROTECTION

A motor control system includes a motor controller and a switch arranged between a battery and a conductor. The motor controller closes the switch when the battery supplies a battery voltage and opens the switch when the battery is not supplying the battery voltage. A clamp circuit is connected to the conductor. A capacitor is connected to the conductor. An H-bridge controller is configured to selectively control a plurality of switches to supply alternating current to a motor in response to a command from the motor controller; sense a voltage on the conductor when the battery is not supplying power to the motor controller; when the voltage on the conductor is greater than a first predetermined voltage threshold, close at least two of the plurality of switches; and when the voltage on the conductor is less than a second predetermined voltage threshold, open at least two of the switches.