A method includes connecting an input voltage bus of a switched capacitor converter to a power source through a load switch, in a first short circuit testing step, determining whether the load switch or a second switch is shorted by comparing a voltage on the input voltage bus with a first predetermined voltage reference, after passing the first short circuit testing step, in a second short circuit testing step, determining whether a first switch or a fourth switch is shorted by comparing a voltage on the common node of the third switch and the fourth switch with a second predetermined voltage reference, and after passing the second short circuit testing step, in a third short circuit testing step, determining whether a third switch is shorted by comparing the voltage on the common node of the third switch and the fourth switch with a third predetermined voltage reference.