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 , 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 , 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 and coupled to the plurality of relays , a plurality of switching states including switching states of the plurality of switching devices 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 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 , 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 and coupled to the plurality of relays , a plurality of switching states including switching states of the plurality of switching devices 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 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. <EOS>