Short-circuit signaling switch for 3VA breakers
The Siemens 3VA9988-0AB32 is a SENTRON short-circuit signaling switch — a 7 mm wide accessory that mounts alongside a 3VA1 160 molded-case circuit breaker to provide remote indication when the breaker trips on a short-circuit fault. It uses a changeover contact set (type HQ) rated for AC and DC control circuits: 6 A thermal continuous current (Ith), with AC-15 switching at 3 A up to 240 V and DC-13 at 0.8 A at 24 V. The 30 mm depth and 56 mm height keep it within the standard 3VA breaker envelope, so it fits without reworking the panel layout.
What the ratings mean for your panel
The 6 A thermal current (Ith) is the continuous carry rating through the switch contacts — it's not a switching rating. For actual switching duty, use the AC-15 and DC-13 values: 3 A at 240 V AC for solenoid or contactor coils, and 0.8 A at 24 V DC for PLC digital inputs or relay loads. Pollution degree 3 and overvoltage category III mean the switch is rated for the industrial control panel environment — conductive dust and transient overvoltages from upstream distribution are within its design envelope. The impulse withstand voltage of 4 kV (rated impulse withstand) covers the surge environment typical of a 240/400 V industrial installation, so no external surge suppression is needed on the signaling circuit.
Integration with 3VA breakers
The switch clips onto the left side of a 3VA1 160 breaker (7 mm module width matches the accessory slot). No additional DIN-rail space is consumed beyond the breaker's own footprint. Wire termination: strip 15 mm (0.6 in) for the screw-clamp terminals. The switch comes with changeover contacts wired to a flying lead or terminal block depending on the variant — verify the contact arrangement matches your alarm input card.