Abstract: A system for determining rotor position information from the back emf of a permanent magnet motor includes extracting the third harmonic from the back emf of the motor by summing the terminal voltages of the motor. The phase angle of the third harmonic of the back emf is a function of the position of the rotor, and a signal is produced when the phase angle of the third harmonic (measured with respect to the voltage on the neutral conductor of the motor) reaches a predetermined angle. Electronically controlled switches selectively apply power to the phase windings of the motor in response to the detection of predetermined phase angles of the third harmonic.