Abstract: A low voltage power supply which uses a low voltage transistor in conjunction with a winding of an electric motor and the high voltage motor commutation transistors. The motor winding is energised by the commutation transistors for example during use of the motor, and the low voltage transistor is used to divert current from the energised motor winding at desired intervals to provide the low voltage power supply. The low voltage supply may be used in an appliance such as a laundry machine for supplying the motor control circuitry and auxiliary devices for example, a drainage pump and water supply control valves.

Abstract: The method uses at least one power switch having "on" and "off" states for providing, respectively, low and high impedance paths between an inductive load and a source of power and thereby controls current flow through the inductive load during a sequence of regular reoccurring time periods. The at least one power switch is switched, if in the "off" state, to the "on" state substantially at the beginning of at least some of the time periods. The method is operative during any one of a plurality of the "on" duty periods and switches the at least one power switch from the "on" state to the "off" state when a predetermined level of current flow has been reached in one of the inductive load and the at least on power switch, and switches the at least one power switch back to the "on" state independent of the occurrence of the beginning of a time period.