A method of operating a modular power converter system including a plurality of active power link modules, APLMs, coupled to each other, each APLM of the plurality of APLMs including a plurality of relays, a plurality of switching devices comprising a first switching device and a second switching device coupled in electrical series, and at least one first-type energy storage device, ESD, coupled in electrical parallel with the series-connected first and second switching devices (112, 113), the at least one first-type ESD configured to induce a first direct current DC voltage (V 1), said method comprising: determining, with a sensor coupled to the plurality of switching devices (112, 113), an operational status of at least one APLM of the plurality of APLMs, the operational status including a functional status and a non-functional status; establishing, with a switching controller coupled to the plurality of switching devices (112, 113) and coupled to the plurality of relays, a plurality of switching states including switching states of the plurality of switching devices (112, 113) and switching states of the plurality of relays in response to the operational status; discharging, with a charge controller coupled to a discharge circuit and the plurality of relays, the at least one first-type ESD of at least one respective APLM of the plurality of APLMs having the non-functional status to a voltage less than the first DC voltage (V 1) by a predetermined amount; and replacing the at least one respective APLM having the non-functional status with at least one replacement APLM having the functional status; wherein the modular power converter system further includes a bypass switch coupled to at least one of the first and second switching devices (112, 113) and the switching controller, said method further comprising maintaining, with the switching controller, the bypass switch in an open position and maintaining the plurality of relays in an open position, i.e., in a de-energized condition which disables flow of electrical current through the plurality of relays, in each respective APLM of at least one respective APLM having the functional status. determining, with a sensor coupled to the plurality of switching devices (112, 113), an operational status of at least one APLM of the plurality of APLMs, the operational status including a functional status and a non-functional status; establishing, with a switching controller coupled to the plurality of switching devices (112, 113) and coupled to the plurality of relays, a plurality of switching states including switching states of the plurality of switching devices (112, 113) and switching states of the plurality of relays in response to the operational status; discharging, with a charge controller coupled to a discharge circuit and the plurality of relays, the at least one first-type ESD of at least one respective APLM of the plurality of APLMs having the non-functional status to a voltage less than the first DC voltage (V 1) by a predetermined amount; and replacing the at least one respective APLM having the non-functional status with at least one replacement APLM having the functional status; wherein the modular power converter system further includes a bypass switch coupled to at least one of the first and second switching devices (112, 113) and the switching controller, said method further comprising maintaining, with the switching controller, the bypass switch in an open position and maintaining the plurality of relays in an open position, i.e., in a de-energized condition which disables flow of electrical current through the plurality of relays, in each respective APLM of at least one respective APLM having the functional status.