A system for converting power having a plurality of current channels comprising: a first channel (92, 94, 96) configured to conduct current for power conversion, wherein the first channel comprises a first plurality of switches (64, 66, 70), wherein at least one of the first plurality of switches (64, 66, 70) is configured to block current through the first channel when current is conducted through remaining channels of the plurality of current channels; and a second channel (98, 100, 102) configured to conduct current for power conversion, wherein the second channel comprises a second plurality of switches (60, 62, 68), wherein at least one of the second plurality of switches is configured to block current through the second channel when current is conducted through remaining channels of the plurality of current channels,, characterized in that one or more remaining switches of the first plurality of switches (64, 66, 70) is configured to reduce voltage stress on the at least one of the first plurality of switches by coupling the at least one of the first plurality of switches to an intermediate voltage during blocking to enable the first plurality of switches to block a first blocked voltage that is smaller than a first possible input voltage to the first plurality of switches during blocking; and one or more remaining switches (60, 62, 68) of the second plurality of switches is configured to reduce voltage stress on the at least one of the second plurality of switches by coupling the at least one of the second plurality of switches to an intermediate voltage during blocking to enable the second plurality of switches to block a second blocked voltage that is smaller than a second possible input voltage to the second plurality of switches during blocking. a first channel (92, 94, 96) configured to conduct current for power conversion, wherein the first channel comprises a first plurality of switches (64, 66, 70), wherein at least one of the first plurality of switches (64, 66, 70) is configured to block current through the first channel when current is conducted through remaining channels of the plurality of current channels; and a second channel (98, 100, 102) configured to conduct current for power conversion, wherein the second channel comprises a second plurality of switches (60, 62, 68), wherein at least one of the second plurality of switches is configured to block current through the second channel when current is conducted through remaining channels of the plurality of current channels,, characterized in that one or more remaining switches of the first plurality of switches (64, 66, 70) is configured to reduce voltage stress on the at least one of the first plurality of switches by coupling the at least one of the first plurality of switches to an intermediate voltage during blocking to enable the first plurality of switches to block a first blocked voltage that is smaller than a first possible input voltage to the first plurality of switches during blocking; and one or more remaining switches (60, 62, 68) of the second plurality of switches is configured to reduce voltage stress on the at least one of the second plurality of switches by coupling the at least one of the second plurality of switches to an intermediate voltage during blocking to enable the second plurality of switches to block a second blocked voltage that is smaller than a second possible input voltage to the second plurality of switches during blocking.