A disconnect override circuit for a power conversion system includes a first input coupled to a user disconnect switch to receive a disconnect input signal, as well as a second input coupled to a motor drive or motor starter to receive a fault signal, and a third input adapted to receive an override signal. The disconnect override circuit has an output configured to provide a disconnect control output signal to control a user disconnect circuit according to the disconnect input signal, the fault signal and the override signal, the output signal having a first state to cause the user disconnect circuit to allow power transfer from the AC input to the motor drive or motor starter, and a second state to cause the user disconnect circuit to prevent power transfer from the AC input to the motor drive or motor starter.