According to embodiments described herein a Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) is pre-charged by: driving a bypass current from an auxiliary power source through a plurality of bypass switches included in a corresponding plurality of cells; in response to a summed voltage across a plurality of cell capacitors included in the plurality of cells satisfying a drive threshold, driving an insert current through a plurality of insert switches included in the plurality of cells; and in response to a voltage across a Direct Current (DC) link capacitor satisfying a pre-charge threshold when driving the insert current, opening a circuit breaker connecting the auxiliary power source with the plurality of cells and connecting a generator with external power line rails between which the DC link capacitor is connected.