A system for operating a compressor, the system comprising: a motor having a winding and a rotor; wherein for each winding the system comprises: a respective inverter bridge configured to provide a voltage to the winding (375, 380, 385), the inverter bridge including a first switch (345, 365, 355) connected in a series-type relationship with a respective second switch (350, 370, 360), a first diode coupled across the first switch, and a second diode coupled across the second switch; a voltage detection circuit configured to detect a back EMF voltage in the or each winding (375, 380, 385); and the system being characterised by comprising: a controller coupled to the or each inverter bridge and the voltage detection circuit, the controller configured to control the first switch and the second switch associated with the or each winding to drive the motor to rotate in a forward direction, to receive an indication of the back EMF voltage in the or each winding from the voltage detection circuit, and configured to determine a fault has occurred when a back EMF voltage in a winding of the or each winding (375, 380, 385) equals about zero, and configured to drive one of the first switch and the second switch in the or each inverter bridge when the controller determines a fault has occurred, wherein driving one of the first switch and the second switch in the or each inverter bridge causes a short circuit across the respective winding (375, 380, 385), whereupon reverse rotation of the motor causes an induced voltage to be induced in the or each winding, said induced voltage causing a short circuit current to flow, said short circuit current exerting a braking force on the rotor, wherein the braking force reduces a rate at which the rotor rotates and prevents the motor from producing a voltage and a current sufficient to damage components of the system, and wherein the braking force stops the rotor from rotating. a motor having a winding and a rotor; wherein for each winding the system comprises: a respective inverter bridge configured to provide a voltage to the winding (375, 380, 385), the inverter bridge including a first switch (345, 365, 355) connected in a series-type relationship with a respective second switch (350, 370, 360), a first diode coupled across the first switch, and a second diode coupled across the second switch; a voltage detection circuit configured to detect a back EMF voltage in the or each winding (375, 380, 385); and the system being characterised by comprising: a controller coupled to the or each inverter bridge and the voltage detection circuit, the controller configured to control the first switch and the second switch associated with the or each winding to drive the motor to rotate in a forward direction, to receive an indication of the back EMF voltage in the or each winding from the voltage detection circuit, and configured to determine a fault has occurred when a back EMF voltage in a winding of the or each winding (375, 380, 385) equals about zero, and configured to drive one of the first switch and the second switch in the or each inverter bridge when the controller determines a fault has occurred, wherein driving one of the first switch and the second switch in the or each inverter bridge causes a short circuit across the respective winding (375, 380, 385), whereupon reverse rotation of the motor causes an induced voltage to be induced in the or each winding, said induced voltage causing a short circuit current to flow, said short circuit current exerting a braking force on the rotor, wherein the braking force reduces a rate at which the rotor rotates and prevents the motor from producing a voltage and a current sufficient to damage components of the system, and wherein the braking force stops the rotor from rotating. a controller coupled to the or each inverter bridge and the voltage detection circuit, the controller configured to control the first switch and the second switch associated with the or each winding to drive the motor to rotate in a forward direction, to receive an indication of the back EMF voltage in the or each winding from the voltage detection circuit, and configured to determine a fault has occurred when a back EMF voltage in a winding of the or each winding (375, 380, 385) equals about zero, and configured to drive one of the first switch and the second switch in the or each inverter bridge when the controller determines a fault has occurred, wherein driving one of the first switch and the second switch in the or each inverter bridge causes a short circuit across the respective winding (375, 380, 385), whereupon reverse rotation of the motor causes an induced voltage to be induced in the or each winding, said induced voltage causing a short circuit current to flow, said short circuit current exerting a braking force on the rotor, wherein the braking force reduces a rate at which the rotor rotates and prevents the motor from producing a voltage and a current sufficient to damage components of the system, and wherein the braking force stops the rotor from rotating.