Abstract: A modulation routine in a motor drive under lightly loaded conditions which prevents DC bus voltage pump-up includes both active states and zero states. In a first zero state, each phase of the motor is connected to a negative rail of the DC bus, and in a second zero state, each phase of the motor is connected to a positive rail of the DC bus. When motor is lightly loaded or unloaded such that DC bus voltage pump-up may occur, the two zero states are utilized in an uneven manner. The specific division of the zero state between the first and second zero states may be selected in a manner that prevents the DC bus voltage pump-up from occurring.