Embedded electronic motor disconnect

A power conversion system, comprising:

• a motor drive or motor starter in an enclosure;
• an AC input adapted to be coupled to an AC power source;
• a user disconnect circuit coupled between the AC input and the motor drive or motor starter in the enclosure, the user disconnect circuit having a control input configured to receive a user disconnect control input signal, the user disconnect circuit being configured to operate, according to the user disconnect control input signal, in a first mode that allows power transfer from the AC input to the motor drive or motor starter, and a second mode that prevents power transfer from the AC input to the motor drive or motor starter;
• a user disconnect switch in the enclosure, the user disconnect switch accessible for operator actuation from an exterior of the enclosure, the user disconnect switch including:
• a first contact having a first terminal coupled to a control power supply, and a second terminal;
• and a second contact having a first terminal coupled to the control power supply, and a second terminal, the user disconnect switch having a first state that closes the first and second contacts, and a second state that opens the first and second contacts;
• a disconnect override circuit in the enclosure, the disconnect override circuit having:
• a first input coupled to receive a disconnect input signal from the second terminal of the first contact;
• a second input coupled to receive a fault signal from the motor drive or motor starter;
• a third input coupled to receive an override signal;
• and an output coupled to provide a disconnect control output signal to the control input of the user disconnect circuit having one of a first state to cause the user disconnect circuit to operate in the first mode and a second state to cause the user disconnect circuit to operate in the second mode according to the disconnect input signal, the fault signal and the override signal.