A control system and method of controlling a multi-phase electric machine for controlling the flow of electrical current between a voltage source and the multi-phase electric machine or other application/load. The control system includes, between each phase of the multi-phase electric machine and the voltage source: a high side diode and a high side switch positioned in parallel between a positive terminal of the voltage source and the electric machine with the high side diode being reverse biased with regard to the positive terminal; and a low side diode and a low side switch positioned in parallel between a negative terminal of the voltage source and the electric machine with the low side diode being reverse biased with regard to the electric machine. The control system operates the high side and low side switches to provide efficient operation of the electric machine.