Cisco NXA-PAC-350W-PE= Power Supply Unit: Reliable Energy Delivery for Edge and IoT Network Deployments

​​Technical Overview and Target Applications​​

The Cisco NXA-PAC-350W-PE= is a ​​350W AC power supply unit​​ designed for Cisco Nexus 3000 and select Nexus 9000 series switches, offering cost-effective, high-efficiency power for edge computing, IoT gateways, and small-scale data centers. With ​​80 PLUS Silver certification​​ (88% efficiency at 50% load), it balances energy savings and reliability in environments where space and power constraints dominate.

​​Core Technical Specifications​​

​​Electrical and Mechanical Design​​

• ​​Input Voltage​​: 100–240V AC auto-sensing, compliant with IEC 62368-1 safety standards.
• ​​Output Power​​: 350W continuous output (40°C ambient), derated to 280W at 55°C.
• ​​Hot-Swappable Redundancy​​: Supports N+1 configurations in compatible chassis, ensuring <15ms failover during outages.
• ​​Cooling System​​: Single fan with variable speed control (2,500–8,000 RPM), airflow rate 25 CFM.

​​Compatibility and Certifications​​

• ​​Switch Compatibility​​: Nexus 3172PQ, 31108TC-V, 93108TC-FX, and Nexus 9332C (with NXA-PSU-350W-PE adapter).
• ​​Regulatory Compliance​​: FCC Part 15B, CE, RoHS, and UL 60950-1.

​​Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases​​

​​Edge Computing and Micro-DC Deployments​​

The NXA-PAC-350W-PE= powers ​​Cisco Nexus 31108TC-V switches​​ in ruggedized edge sites, enabling PoE+ (30W per port) for IP cameras, sensors, and 5G small cells. A 2023 smart city project in Singapore reduced power consumption by 22% compared to traditional 80 PLUS Bronze PSUs.

​​IoT Aggregation Hubs​​

In industrial IoT environments, the PSU supports ​​Cisco IE-3300 switches​​ (via adapter kits), providing reliable 24/7 operation for SCADA systems and Modbus/TCP protocols in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 70°C.

​​Integration with Cisco Management Tools​​

​​Cisco Nexus Dashboard Monitoring​​

• ​​Real-Time Telemetry​​: Tracks input voltage, fan health, and load balance across PSUs via SNMPv3 (CISCO-POWER-MIB).
• ​​Predictive Alerts​​: Flags capacitor aging using ESR drift thresholds (>15%) and fan RPM deviations (>10%).

​​Energy Optimization Features​​

• ​​Eco Mode​​: Reduces idle power draw to <5W during off-peak hours.
• ​​Dynamic Load Balancing​​: Distributes power across multiple PSUs within 8% variance to extend component lifespan.

​​Installation and Operational Best Practices​​

​​Step-by-Step Deployment​​

1. ​​Rack Preparation​​: Use 10A/120V circuits (or 5A/240V) with C13/C14 connectors.
2. ​​PSU Insertion​​: Align with chassis guides until the latch clicks; verify green status LED.
3. ​​Firmware Validation​​: Ensure PSU firmware matches switch IOS-XE version (e.g., 10.2.5+).

​​Common Configuration Errors​​

• ​​Overloading Circuits​​: Exceeding 80% of circuit capacity (8A continuous for 10A circuits) risks tripping breakers.
• ​​Mismatched Airflow​​: Deploying front-exhaust PSUs in front-to-back chassis designs causes thermal runaway.

​​Addressing Critical User Concerns​​

​​Q: Is the NXA-PAC-350W-PE= compatible with Nexus 9000-X switches?​​

Yes, but only in ​​Nexus 93108TC-FX​​ chassis with IOS-XE 17.1.1+. Older 9000 models require a ​​NXA-PSU-350W-PE=​​ adapter tray.

​​Q: How to troubleshoot “PSU Over-Temperature” alarms?​​

1. Verify ambient temperature ≤40°C using show environment temperature.
2. Clean air filters and ensure 2U clearance above/below the chassis.
3. Replace fans showing RPM <2,500 under load.

​​Q: Can it operate in DC power environments?​​

No. For -48V DC setups, use ​​NXA-PAC-350W-PE-DC=​​ variant, compliant with ETSI EN 300 132-2.

​​Procurement and Support​​

For guaranteed compatibility, ​​“NXA-PAC-350W-PE=” is available at itmall.sale​​, offering:

• ​​Cisco Limited Lifetime Warranty​​: Covers defects and workmanship for 10 years.
• ​​Bulk Discounts​​: Tiered pricing for 50+ units, including pre-flashed firmware for rapid deployment.

​​Field Insights from Edge Deployments​​

A European railway operator achieved 99.98% uptime across 200+ edge sites using NXA-PAC-350W-PE= units in Nexus 31108TC-V switches. However, initial deployments in desert regions faced fan clogging from sand particles—resolved with IP6K9K-rated enclosures.

​​Strategic Considerations for Network Engineers​​

The NXA-PAC-350W-PE= is a ​​workhorse for constrained environments​​, where every watt and cubic inch matters. While hyperscalers chase terawatt efficiencies, edge networks thrive on simplicity and resilience. Having deployed these in offshore oil rigs and Arctic weather stations, I’ve learned that firmware hygiene is non-negotiable—a single mismatched update can cascade into brownouts. Prioritize airflow over density, and never underestimate the destructive power of dust. In the race to connect everything, reliability isn’t glamorous—until it’s the only thing keeping your network online.