Schneider A9A26946 — Acti 9 Shunt Trip Release Buyer Guide

By Abdullah Zahid
15 min read
Schneider Electric A9A26946 iMX+OF voltage release module mounted on Acti 9 DIN rail circuit breaker panel

Schneider A9A26946 Voltage Release iMX+OF — Shunt Trip Release with Open/Close Contact (OF): Technical Specifications and Selection Guide

When an Acti 9 panel builder needs remote emergency stop capability with confirmed breaker position feedback, the Schneider A9A26946 is the module that closes that design gap. This compact iMX+OF voltage release clips directly onto compatible Acti 9 circuit breakers, accepts a control voltage of 100–415V AC or 110–130V DC, and provides an integrated open/close (OF) contact so your PLC or safety relay knows the moment the breaker opens. If you are mid-spec on an emergency stop loop, alarm-driven shutdown, or safety-interlocked machinery project and you have already confirmed your breaker is in the Acti 9 family, this is the module that completes the circuit.

If you have already confirmed this is the right part, check current pricing and availability for the A9A26946 at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide.

Who Should Buy the A9A26946 — and Who Should Not

The Schneider A9A26946 is the correct choice for panel builders and automation engineers who need remote tripping plus position confirmation on an Acti 9 breaker. Before ordering, confirm all of the following apply to your project:

  • Your circuit breaker is one of the supported Acti 9 models — iC60, iID, iC65, iDPN Vigi, iSW-NA, RCA, iC60H RCBO, iC60H RCBO PoN, or iC60N RCBO
  • Your control voltage is either AC 100–415V (50/60 Hz) or DC 110–130V — not 24V DC and not mixed AC/DC on the same device
  • Your application requires an open/close (OF) feedback contact to confirm breaker state at a PLC input or safety relay
  • DIN rail space of 18mm (2 × 9mm pitches) is available adjacent to the breaker for clip-on mounting
  • Your control wiring uses 6mm² rigid or 4mm² flexible cable at the input, and 2.5mm² at the signal contact terminals

If your breaker is outside the Acti 9 family — such as an iC60L, C120, or any competing manufacturer's device — or if you require 24V DC control input without a step-up supply, the A9A26946 is not the correct module. Contact the LeadTime.ca team or your Schneider distributor with your breaker part number to identify the right auxiliary module before ordering.

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What the A9A26946 Does in a Real Control System

The Schneider A9A26946 is a voltage release module — product family designation iMX+OF — that remotely trips a compatible Acti 9 circuit breaker the moment its control coil is energized. Unlike a contactor-based isolation scheme, this module attaches directly to the breaker body via clip-on DIN rail mounting and interfaces with the breaker's internal trip mechanism. Apply the rated control voltage (100–415V AC at 50/60 Hz, or 110–130V DC), and the breaker opens immediately — no manual lever access required, no additional relay interposing the trip path.

What distinguishes the A9A26946 from a basic shunt-trip module is the integrated open/close (OF) contact. This single changeover (C/O) contact switches state the moment the breaker trips, giving your PLC digital input or safety relay a voltage-free confirmation signal. That feedback closes the logic loop in emergency stop and alarm-driven shutdown circuits: the control system commands the trip, the OF contact confirms execution. For applications that must satisfy SIL-rated interlock requirements without additional position switches wired externally, that dual function — remote trip plus positional feedback — is precisely why this model exists in the Acti 9 auxiliary line.

The module occupies 18mm of DIN rail width (2 × 9mm pitches) and operates across a broad environmental range: -25°C to +50°C operating temperature, storage to -40°C/+85°C, and up to 95% relative humidity at 55°C without condensation. Green Premium certification and RoHS compliance since date code 1216 confirm it meets current lead-free and environmental standards without special recycling requirements. Contact durability is rated at 100,000 switching cycles, supporting long service life in intermittent-duty emergency stop applications.

Where the A9A26946 Sits in Your Panel Architecture

The A9A26946 occupies the auxiliary control layer between your safety or automation logic and the breaker's mechanical trip mechanism. It is not a standalone device — it functions only when clipped onto a compatible Acti 9 breaker and connected to both a control supply and a feedback destination.

  • Safety relay or PLC output card — generates the trip command signal
  • Control power supply (100–415V AC or 110–130V DC) — energizes the A9A26946 coil on trip command
  • Schneider A9A26946 iMX+OF — receives control voltage, trips the breaker coil, and switches the OF contact
  • Compatible Acti 9 breaker (iC60, iID, iC65, etc.) — the protected device; opens immediately on coil energization
  • PLC digital input or safety relay feedback input — receives the OF contact signal to confirm breaker open state

Typical Applications and Deployment Scenarios

Emergency stop circuits represent the most common deployment: a remote pushbutton or safety relay energizes the A9A26946 coil, forcing immediate breaker opening without anyone needing physical access to the distribution panel. This is particularly valuable in machinery with locked enclosures or elevated switchgear locations.

Alarm-driven shutdown is a second major use case. A safety relay or PLC fault detection routine closes a contact, energizes the voltage release coil, and the breaker isolates hazardous equipment — motors, heaters, or process machinery — in response to a detected fault condition. The OF contact simultaneously signals the PLC that isolation is confirmed.

Safety-interlocked applications leverage the OF feedback contact directly. When a machine guard opens or a safety door interlock is defeated, the control system trips the breaker via the A9A26946 and waits for the OF contact to confirm the open state before allowing any other process action. This closed-loop confirmation is essential for SIL-rated applications where the controller must verify that the trip command was executed.

Maintenance window disconnects and redundant trip paths round out the typical use cases. For seasonal equipment shutdowns, a remote contactor can de-energize the trip coil to open the supply breaker safely. In parallel with the manual breaker handle, the A9A26946 provides an automation-accessible trip path without replacing or modifying the mechanical breaker itself.

Application Typical Deployment
Emergency stop circuit Remote pushbutton energizes voltage release; breaker opens instantly without panel access
Alarm-driven shutdown Safety relay fault output triggers coil; OF contact confirms isolation to PLC
Safety interlock compliance Guard or door interlock trips breaker; OF feedback closes the SIL-rated confirmation loop
Maintenance disconnect Remote contactor de-energizes coil; supply breaker opens for safe maintenance window
Redundant trip path Parallel to manual handle; enables automation-controlled trip without breaker replacement

Key Electrical, Mechanical, and Terminal Specifications

Parameter Specification Notes
Control Circuit Voltage (AC) 100–415V, 50/60 Hz One voltage class per device — do not mix AC and DC
Control Circuit Voltage (DC) 110–130V DC One voltage class per device
Rated Operational Current (AC-12) 3A @ 415V / 6A @ 100–230V AC Verify against your supply voltage
Rated Operational Current (DC-12) 1A @ 110–130V DC DC supply only
Signal Contact Type Open/close (OF) changeover — 1 C/O contact Verify PLC input card rating before wiring
Signal Contact Current Rating AC-12: 3A @ 415V, 6A @ 230V AC Dry-contact; voltage-free logic supported
Module Width 18mm (2 × 9mm pitches) Clip-on DIN rail; requires adjacent space on rail
Operating Temperature -25°C to +50°C Storage: -40°C to +85°C
Input Terminal Capacity 6mm² rigid / 4mm² flexible Tightening torque: 1 N·m — do not exceed
Signal Contact Terminal Capacity 2.5mm² rigid or flexible with cable end Torque: 1 N·m; cable end lugs accepted

Full technical specifications are available on the product page at LeadTime.ca.

Acti 9 Breaker Compatibility — What Fits and What Does Not

The A9A26946 is designed exclusively for the Acti 9 ecosystem. The clip-on mounting interface and internal coil geometry are matched to specific breaker models. Using this module on an incompatible breaker — even another Schneider product outside Acti 9 — results in mechanical misalignment, failed trip action, or both.

Breaker Model Compatible with A9A26946 Notes
iC60 Yes Double terminals miniature circuit breaker
iID Yes Disconnector type
iC65 Yes Larger frame Acti 9
iDPN Vigi Yes Residual current variant
iSW-NA Yes Switch-disconnector
RCA Yes Remote control add-on compatible
iC60H RCBO Yes Residual current breaker with overload protection
iC60H RCBO PoN Yes PoN variant
iC60N RCBO Yes N-series RCBO
iC60L, C120, C60 and other families No Require different Schneider auxiliary modules — verify before ordering

If your breaker part number is not on the confirmed list above, do not assume dimensional similarity implies compatibility. Check the A9A26946 product page at LeadTime.ca or contact the team with your breaker model for a pre-order compatibility confirmation.

Expert Verdict: Is the A9A26946 Right for Your Project?

For panel builders and electrical integrators standardized on Schneider Acti 9 breaker ranges, the A9A26946 iMX+OF is the correct and complete answer to remote trip with position feedback. It installs without adapters, clips directly onto the breaker body, covers the full 100–415V AC industrial voltage range at 50/60 Hz, and delivers the OF contact output that safety engineers need to close the confirmation loop in emergency stop and alarm-driven shutdown circuits. The 100,000-cycle contact rating and -25°C to +50°C operating range confirm it is dimensioned for industrial service, not occasional use. For machine designers implementing SIL-rated interlocks or OEMs building safety-interlocked machinery on Acti 9 infrastructure, this is the module that belongs on the bill of materials.

Where the A9A26946 reaches its limits is equally clear. Applications requiring 24V DC control — the dominant voltage in modern safety relay and PLC I/O circuits — cannot drive this module directly; the DC rating is 110–130V, so a step-up supply is required, adding cost and panel space. If you do not need the OF feedback contact, a simpler shunt-trip-only module in the Acti 9 line may reduce cost without sacrificing trip function. And if your breaker is outside Acti 9 — any iC60L, C120, or C60 model, or a Siemens, ABB, or Eaton device — this module will not fit and you need a manufacturer-specific auxiliary. North American panels running 120V AC only should note that while the 100–415V AC range technically covers 120V, the rated operational current is specified at higher voltage levels; verify your application against the AC-12 ratings before ordering.

On the procurement side, the A9A26946 is a specialist B2B component. Generic electronics channels rarely stock it and cannot verify Acti 9 ecosystem compatibility before shipping. Ordering through a specialist industrial automation distributor — one that knows the Acti 9 auxiliary line and can confirm your breaker model against the compatibility matrix before the order is placed — eliminates the most common failure mode: receiving a module that physically does not seat on your breaker. LeadTime.ca ships worldwide, and the team can confirm compatibility, provide lead time expectations for your region, and support you if the application requires technical clarification. View current availability and pricing for the A9A26946 at LeadTime.ca.

For volume pricing, project-level lead time confirmation, or to have a specialist verify your breaker model before committing to a build, contact the LeadTime.ca team directly — we ship worldwide.

Why Specialist Advice Matters When Specifying This Part

Community forum discussion for the Schneider A9A26946 is effectively absent from public sources. Searches across Reddit (r/PLC, r/automation, r/industrialautomation), PLCTalk, PLCS.net, MrPLC, Automation24 Q&A, DigiKey Q&A, and the Schneider Electric support community returned no threads discussing this model by name or by product family. That absence is not a signal of poor adoption — it reflects exactly how this class of component is specified and purchased. Acti 9 voltage releases are OEM-integration components. Engineers who need them are working from a Schneider panel design standard; they call their distributor, confirm the breaker model, and place the order. They do not post to forums asking whether it works.

What that means for a buyer doing due diligence today is straightforward: public community validation is not the verification path for this part. Breaker compatibility verification, voltage class confirmation, and terminal sizing are the three technical questions that determine whether this order succeeds or requires rework. All three are answerable from the official Schneider datasheet and from a single pre-order conversation with a distributor who knows the Acti 9 line. When that conversation happens with a specialist rather than a generic supplier, it catches the compatibility mismatches — the iC60L that does not fit, the 24V DC panel that needs a step-up supply — before the module ships, not after it arrives on the workbench.

LeadTime.ca positions itself precisely in that role: the technical checkpoint between the bill of materials and the purchase order. If your panel drawing shows a breaker model you are not certain is on the A9A26946 compatibility list, or if your control voltage sits at the edge of the specified range, that is the conversation to have before ordering — not after. The six-item wrong-part prevention checklist below reflects the real failure modes for this device; work through it against your own panel design before submitting an order.

Wiring and Installation Overview

  • De-energize the full distribution panel and verify with a multimeter before mounting or wiring — confirm zero AC or DC voltage present on all breaker terminals
  • Clip the A9A26946 onto the compatible Acti 9 breaker's auxiliary terminal block; confirm the clip seats fully and the module is mechanically secured before connecting any wiring
  • Connect the control coil input using 6mm² rigid or 4mm² flexible copper cable; for DC supply (110–130V DC), observe correct polarity; tighten input clamp terminals to exactly 1 N·m using a calibrated torque screwdriver — do not use power tools
  • Connect the OF feedback contact using 2.5mm² cable (rigid or flexible with cable end lugs accepted) to your PLC digital input card or safety relay input; verify the PLC input card voltage rating is compatible with the OF contact rating (AC-12: 3A @ 415V, 6A @ 230V AC)
  • After wiring, re-energize and measure control voltage at the input clamp terminals to confirm it matches the device's rated voltage class before activating the trip signal for the first time — a voltage mismatch at this stage causes coil damage that is not covered under warranty

Full wiring diagrams and commissioning procedures are provided in Schneider Electric's official installation documentation for the Acti 9 auxiliary module range. Always refer to manufacturer documentation for complete step-by-step procedures.

Wrong-Part Prevention Checklist

Work through every item on this checklist against your panel design before placing your order. A single mismatch at any point means the A9A26946 is not the correct module for your application.

  1. Confirm the breaker model number matches the supported list (iC60, iID, iC65, iDPN Vigi, iSW-NA, RCA, iC60H RCBO, iC60N RCBO)
  2. Verify the site supply voltage is AC 100–415V or DC 110–130V; do NOT mix AC and DC in the same device
  3. Check that the DIN rail width and pitch alignment match (18mm width, 2 x 9mm pitches)
  4. Confirm terminal capacity: clamp terminals accept 6mm² rigid or 4mm² flexible wire on input, 2.5mm² on signal contact
  5. Verify the OF contact voltage rating is compatible with your PLC input card or safety relay (typically 3A @ 415V AC or 6A @ 230V AC)
  6. Check stock status with distributor — availability varies by region; lead times may apply in North America

If any item on this list raises a question about your specific panel design, contact the LeadTime.ca team with your breaker part number and control voltage — we can confirm compatibility before the order is placed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the A9A26946 be driven directly from a 24V DC safety relay output?

No. The A9A26946 is rated for DC 110–130V only; a 24V DC source will not energize the coil reliably and may cause partial or failed trip action. If your safety circuit operates at 24V DC, you will need a separate step-up power supply to bring the control voltage into the 110–130V DC range before it reaches the module's input terminals. Attempting to operate the device below its rated DC range is not supported and will void warranty.

What does the OF contact output tell my PLC — and how do I wire it correctly?

The OF open/close contact is a single changeover (C/O) dry contact that switches state when the breaker trips. In the normal (breaker closed) state, the contact is in one position; when the voltage release energizes and the breaker opens, the contact switches simultaneously, signaling the PLC or safety relay that the trip has been executed. Wire the OF contact terminals using 2.5mm² cable to your PLC digital input card and verify that the input card's rated voltage is compatible with the OF contact rating (AC-12: 6A @ 230V AC). Use voltage-free (dry-contact) logic where your PLC card provides the wet supply.

Will this module fit an iC60L or C120 breaker if the clip looks the same?

No. The iC60L and C120 are outside the A9A26946 compatibility list despite being Schneider products. Mechanical clip similarity does not guarantee that the coil interface aligns with the breaker's trip mechanism. Fitting the module to an unsupported breaker can result in the clip seating without proper coil engagement, meaning the breaker will not trip when the control voltage is applied — a dangerous failure mode in emergency stop circuits. Use the compatibility list as your sole reference and contact your distributor with the breaker part number if there is any uncertainty.

What is the correct torque for the terminal screws, and what happens if I over-torque them?

The specified tightening torque for all terminals on the A9A26946 is 1 N·m. Exceeding this — common when an uncalibrated power tool or a heavy-handed manual screwdriver is used — can shear the brass screw head or crack the terminal strip internally, leaving a connection that appears secure but fails under the mechanical vibration of a trip event. Use a calibrated torque screwdriver. If one is not available, apply finger-tight pressure and add one quarter turn only — then test the connection by gently pulling on the wire to confirm it is retained.

How do I confirm the A9A26946 is in stock and what lead times should I plan for?

Stock availability for the A9A26946 varies by region. European distribution through authorized Schneider channels typically carries this module as a standard line item. North American and Canadian availability is regionally variable; some projects may encounter lead times that require advance ordering. The safest approach is to check current availability directly on the A9A26946 product page at LeadTime.ca or contact the team for a lead time quote before committing your panel build schedule.

Is the A9A26946 RoHS compliant, and does it require special disposal at end of life?

Yes — the A9A26946 has been RoHS compliant since date code 1216 (2012), confirming lead-free solder and halogen-free material standards. It also carries Schneider Electric's Green Premium sustainability certification, which means no special recycling or hazardous waste disposal is required beyond standard electronic component handling procedures applicable in your region.

Why Order From LeadTime.ca

  • Ships worldwide — no regional restriction on orders for the A9A26946 or any Acti 9 auxiliary module
  • Pre-order compatibility verification — the team can confirm your breaker model against the A9A26946 compatibility list before the order is processed, eliminating the most common cause of panel rework
  • Specialist sourcing for hard-to-find auxiliary modules — Acti 9 voltage releases are not stocked by generic electronics channels; LeadTime.ca specializes in exactly this class of B2B industrial component
  • Volume and project pricing available — machine builders and OEMs with multi-unit requirements can contact for volume pricing and project lead time commitments
  • Responsive technical support — if your application sits at the edge of the specification (voltage class boundary, borderline wire gauge, SIL-rated feedback circuit), the team can connect you with the technical guidance you need before installation

At-a-Glance Summary

  • Official product name: Voltage release - iMX+OF - shunt trip release with open/close contact (OF)
  • Product family: Schneider Electric Acti 9 auxiliary control devices
  • Control voltage: 100–415V AC (50/60 Hz) or 110–130V DC — one class per device, no mixing
  • Rated operational current: 3A @ 415V AC / 6A @ 100–230V AC / 1A @ 110–130V DC
  • Signal contact: 1 changeover (C/O) open/close (OF) contact; AC-12 rated at 3A @ 415V and 6A @ 230V
  • Contact durability: 100,000 switching cycles
  • DIN rail footprint: 18mm (2 × 9mm pitches); clip-on mounting, no adapters required
  • Operating temperature: -25°C to +50°C; storage -40°C to +85°C; up to 95% RH @ 55°C non-condensing
  • Input terminal capacity: 6mm² rigid or 4mm² flexible; signal contact: 2.5mm² rigid or flexible with cable end
  • Terminal tightening torque: 1 N·m — do not exceed
  • Standards compliance: EN/IEC 60947-5-1; RoHS compliant since date code 1216; Green Premium certified
  • Compatible breakers: iC60, iID, iC65, iDPN Vigi, iSW-NA, RCA, iC60H RCBO, iC60H RCBO PoN, iC60N RCBO only
  • Not compatible with: iC60L, C120, C60, or any breaker outside the Acti 9 family
  • Manufacturer warranty: 18 months from delivery

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