R-rated fuses provide required short circuit protection for medium voltage motors, motor controllers and associated circuitry. These components have limited ability to absorb the energy of large short circuit currents. Medium voltage motor controllers contain overload relays which provide both overload protection and locked rotor protection to the motor. The controllers are also intended to interrupt low value short circuits within the capability of the motor controller. This protects the medium voltage R-rated fuse from sustained overcurrents which are less than their minimum interrupting rating.