Adjustable speed drive with integrated solid state circuit breaker and method of operation thereof

A power conversion circuit (50) with solid state circuit breakers (76, 78) integrated therein is disclosed. Where there is a disconnect switch between a utility power source described as satisfying UL489 and a power conversion device, a power conversion circuit includes an input connectable to an AC source, a rectifier circuit (56) connected to the input to convert the AC power input to DC power, and a DC link (64) coupled to the rectifier circuit (56) to receive DC power therefrom. The rectifier circuit (56) includes a plurality of phase legs (62), each including an upper switching unit (76) and a lower switching unit (78) thereon, where at least one of the upper switching unit (76) and the lower switching unit (78) on each phase leg (62) includes a bidirectional switching unit that selectively controls current and withstands voltage in two directions, a rectifier circuit is provided to provide a breaking capability to selectively interrupt current flowing through the rectifier circuit while maintaining an i