What the Size A and surface mount mean for your panel
Size A on this ABB AF43S contactor tells you the physical envelope — it fits the same panel cutout and mounting hole pattern as the legacy GE A-Series contactors it replaces. That matters when you're swapping one into an existing panel without re-drilling the backplate. Surface mounting means it bolts directly to a panel backplate, not a DIN rail. You'll need clearance for the mounting screws and a straight shot for the power wiring — no rail adapter to fumble with.
Lifecycle and sourcing — still in current production
ABB is the brand behind this part after the GE Industrial Solutions acquisition. The AF43S order code maps to the legacy GE A-Series front-panel surface-mount contactor family — same form, same fit, same mounting footprint.