What do relay switching characteristics mean?
Reference to the datasheet will make this less ambiguous, but these normally relate to the current carrying and breaking capability.

Your relay may withstand a 3 kV potential when open, or making a circuit - and a 3A current once the circuit is closed. What it may not withstand is more than 0.5A to make or break the circuit (as the contacts become close enough for breakdown, or as an arc is drawn and extinguished).

If the make/break capacity is not high enough, you will only be able to use these components with a secondary current limiting feature.