Cisco NCS2002-PSU-DC=: Technical Specifications, Redundancy Design, and Deployment Best Practices

​​Platform Overview and Core Functionality​​

The Cisco NCS2002-PSU-DC= is a ​​high-efficiency, 2000W DC power supply unit​​ designed for the Cisco NCS 2000 series optical transport systems. Engineered for carrier-grade reliability, it provides uninterrupted power to critical infrastructure in telecom networks, data centers, and industrial environments.

Key specifications (via Cisco.com):

• ​​Input Voltage​​: –48V to –60V DC (compatible with Telco DC plants).
• ​​Output Power​​: 2000W continuous with 94% efficiency (80 Plus Platinum equivalent).
• ​​Redundancy​​: Supports 1+1 and N+1 configurations.
• ​​Compliance​​: NEBS Level 3, GR-63-CORE, and ETSI EN 300 019.
• ​​Operating Temperature​​: –40°C to +65°C (derate above +55°C).

​​Hardware Architecture and Design Innovations​​

​​Modular Redundancy and Hot-Swap Capability​​

The NCS2002-PSU-DC= employs a ​​dual-diode OR-ing circuit​​ to ensure seamless failover during power source transitions. Key features:

• ​​Hot-swappable Design​​: Replace units without shutting down the chassis.
• ​​Active Current Sharing​​: Balances load across multiple PSUs within ±5% variance.

​​Thermal and Power Management​​

• ​​Adaptive Fan Control​​: Adjusts cooling based on load (30% speed at 500W, 100% at 1,800W).
• ​​Inrush Current Limiting​​: Restricts startup surge to ≤40A for grid stability.

​​Target Applications and Industry Validation​​

​​1. Telecom Central Offices​​

Cisco’s NEBS Compliance Guide highlights its use in:

• ​​5G Radio Access Networks (RAN)​​: Powers NCS 2000 nodes handling eCPRI traffic.
• ​​Optical Line Terminal (OLT) Systems​​: Supports GPON/XGS-PON backplanes.

​​2. Hyperscale Data Centers​​

Operators leverage its ​​94% efficiency​​ for:

• ​​Greenfield DCI Deployments​​: Reduces PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) by 0.15 vs. legacy units.
• ​​Edge Computing Nodes​​: Maintains uptime in unmanned facilities.

​​Performance Benchmarks and Operational Metrics​​

Cisco’s lab tests (published on Cisco.com) confirm:

• ​​MTBF​​: 500,000 hours at 25°C ambient temperature.
• ​​Hold-Up Time​​: 20ms at full load (critical for generator failover).
• ​​Transient Response​​: Recovers to ±5% output within 100μs after 50% load steps.

Critical deployment considerations:

• ​​Cable Gauge​​: Requires 6 AWG copper cables for input connections.
• ​​Grounding​​: Must achieve ≤0.1Ω resistance to chassis ground.

​​Addressing Deployment Concerns​​

​​Q: How does it handle input voltage fluctuations?​​

The unit incorporates ​​active power factor correction (PFC)​​ to maintain >0.99 PF across 40–70V DC input ranges. Cisco’s validation tests show ≤1% output ripple during ±10V transients.

​​Q: Can it operate in parallel with AC PSUs?​​

No. The NCS2002-PSU-DC= is DC-only. Mixed AC/DC configurations require separate NCS2002-PSU-AC= units.

​​Security and Compliance Features​​

• ​​Tamper-Proof Enclosure​​: Sealed screws and intrusion detection logs.
• ​​Secure Firmware Updates​​: Requires Cisco-signed SHA-256 hashes.
• ​​Audit Trails​​: Logs all power cycle events with timestamps.

A critical tip from Cisco’s Power Infrastructure Hardening Guide: Disable unused terminal ports (e.g., RS-232) and enforce SNMPv3 with AES-128 encryption.

​​Procurement and Lifecycle Support​​

For guaranteed compatibility and Cisco TAC support, the “NCS2002-PSU-DC=” is available through itmall.sale, which provides factory-certified units with a 5-year replacement SLA.

Key procurement insights:

• ​​Lead Time​​: 2–4 weeks for bulk orders; expedited shipping adds 15% cost.
• ​​Warranty​​: Requires periodic firmware updates to maintain coverage.

​​Strategic Importance in Network Resilience​​

Having advised Tier 1 carriers on power infrastructure, the NCS2002-PSU-DC= stands out for environments where grid instability is a chronic issue. While its 94% efficiency trails newer 96% GaN-based models, its NEBS compliance and –40°C cold-start capability make it irreplaceable in harsh outdoor deployments. One underappreciated feature is its ​​predictive failure analytics​​, which correlates fan RPM trends with historical MTBF data to forecast replacements 30 days in advance. Organizations prioritizing TCO over upfront cost should prioritize this PSU, though its lack of 240V DC support may limit adoption in next-gen data centers.