A neutral point clamped (NPC) power converter fault protection system is provided, and include a DC bus, a switching network, and a control module. The switching network is connected to the DC bus. The switching network includes at least two leg circuits. Each of the at least two leg circuits includes at least two switches connected in series and two NPC diodes. Each of the two NPC diodes corresponds to one of the at least two switches. Each of the at least two switches has an open position. The two NPC diodes are connected between a corresponding one of the at least two leg circuits and the DC bus. The control module is in communication with the switching network. The control module includes control logic for monitoring the switching network to detect a fault condition.