Abstract: A pumping system including a safety disconnect switch. The pumping system includes a variable frequency drive, an electrical submersible pump, and a motor connected to the electrical submersible pump. The pumping system also includes a safety disconnect switch disposed downstream from the variable frequency drive and upstream from the electrical submersible pump to prevent electric power generated by the motor from traveling upstream from the safety disconnect switch in the pumping system. A method of preventing electric power from flowing upstream from a safety disconnect switch in a pumping system includes the step of opening a circuit in the safety disconnect switch to prevent electric power from a motor attached to an electrical submersible pump from flowing upstream from the safety disconnect switch to other components of the pumping system.