A phase leg for an inverter includes a switching module having a switch device, a power lead connected to the switching module and in electrical communication with the switch device, and a drive lead. The drive lead is connected to the switching module, is in electrical communication with the switch device, and is segregated from the power lead to limit heating of a drive module connected to the drive lead from current flowing through the power lead. Multilevel inverters and methods of making phase legs for inverters are also described.