A motor starter , comprising: a housing ; a contactor portion comprising a movable contact system , the contactor portion being disposed within the housing, wherein the contactor portion is configured to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the open position, current does not flow through the motor starter and, in the closed position, current is allowed to flow through the motor starter, wherein the movable contact system comprises a first arm that extends toward first stationary contacts that are electrically coupled to first terminals and a second arm that extends toward second stationary contacts that are electrically coupled to the second terminals ; a motor protection system disposed within the housing adjacent to the contactor portion in a vertical direction , wherein the motor protection system comprises a plurality of components configured to move the contactor portion to the open position based on a current flow; and an actuation system disposed within the housing, wherein the actuation system is configured to move the contactor portion between the closed position and the open position in response to receiving an input, wherein the actuation system comprises electromagnetic actuators configured to drive a plurality of contacts of the contactor portion magnetically between the open position and the closed position, such that when the actuators are energized, the contactor portion moves in the vertical direction to physically engage with the first stationary contacts and second stationary contacts; and wherein the motor protection system is configured to, when instructed by a controller or a coil system, open the movable contact system when the actuators are energized. a housing ; a contactor portion comprising a movable contact system , the contactor portion being disposed within the housing, wherein the contactor portion is configured to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the open position, current does not flow through the motor starter and, in the closed position, current is allowed to flow through the motor starter, wherein the movable contact system comprises a first arm that extends toward first stationary contacts that are electrically coupled to first terminals and a second arm that extends toward second stationary contacts that are electrically coupled to the second terminals ; a motor protection system disposed within the housing adjacent to the contactor portion in a vertical direction , wherein the motor protection system comprises a plurality of components configured to move the contactor portion to the open position based on a current flow; and an actuation system disposed within the housing, wherein the actuation system is configured to move the contactor portion between the closed position and the open position in response to receiving an input, wherein the actuation system comprises electromagnetic actuators configured to drive a plurality of contacts of the contactor portion magnetically between the open position and the closed position, such that when the actuators are energized, the contactor portion moves in the vertical direction to physically engage with the first stationary contacts and second stationary contacts; and wherein the motor protection system is configured to, when instructed by a controller or a coil system, open the movable contact system when the actuators are energized. <EOS>