Abstract: A system including an electric motor and a control software operable to control the operation of a plurality of different types of electric motors. The control software is provided with or identifies a particular control algorithm from among a plurality of such algorithms and/or a particular set of operational parameters from among a plurality of such sets for the motor with which it is assembled. The sets of operational parameters are stored in one or more read-only memories, which may be electrically erasable programmable read-only memories. To identify the particular motor control algorithm and/or the particular set of operational parameters, the control software causes the motor to be energized, senses an actual operating parameter of the motor, and identifies the particular motor control algorithm and/or the particular set of operational parameters based on the sensed actual operating parameter.