Abstract This paper investigates the application of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches for DC power distribution system. Traditional electromechanical switches, solid state switches and solid state switch array are studied and simulated to understand their characteristics. Performance and characteristics of MEMS switches are reviewed and identified that electrostatically actuated MEMS switches are suitable for DC power applications. Scalable total cross tied (TCT) array configuration using MEMS switches has been proposed. The proposed configuration is suitable for variable voltage/current rating. Arc-less behavior of the switch configuration is analyzed using modified Paschen’s curve. 400 V/6 A system is considered for the simulation and comparative study. The simulated result of the proposed MEMS switch array configuration is compared with the traditional switches. The comparative study shows that the proposed switch array configuration gives better performance in terms of voltage drop, leakage current, power loss, arc and size. This can be used in DC power system protection, circuit breaking, battery protection and smart grid load switching applications.