A DC-based power system including: an AC power distribution system for providing AC power to a first node and a second node; a first converting system coupled to the first node that converts AC power to DC power and outputs the DC power to a first distributed bus bar; a second converting system coupled to the second node that converts AC power to DC power and outputs the DC power to a second distributed bus bar; a first set of DC/DC converters that steps down the DC power from the first distributed bus bar to a first stepped down DC voltage; a second set of DC/DC converters that steps down the DC power from the second distributed bus bar to a second stepped down DC voltage; and a critical load distribution system that is powered by both the first stepped down DC voltage and the second stepped down DC voltage.