PWR-CAB-AC-SA= Technical Evaluation: Cisco’s SASO-Compliant AC Power Cable for Saudi Arabian Network Infrastructure

​​Functional Role and Regional Compliance​​

The ​​PWR-CAB-AC-SA=​​ is a ​​Saudi Arabia-specific AC power cable​​ designed for Cisco networking and server equipment, meeting ​​SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization)​​ and ​​IEC 60884-1​​ requirements. Engineered for ​​220–240V AC, 60Hz​​ electrical grids, this cable ensures compatibility with Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure while addressing extreme environmental conditions like desert heat and sand exposure. Cisco mandates its use with ​​Catalyst 9000 switches​​, ​​UCS C-Series servers​​, and ​​ASR 9000 routers​​ to maintain warranty compliance and operational reliability in critical sectors like oil/gas and smart cities.

​​Core Technical Specifications​​

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• ​​Electrical Ratings​​:

  • ​​Voltage​​: 250V AC, 13A (3.25kW max)
  • ​​Plug Type​​: SASO Type G (BS 1363-5A, 3-pin)
  • ​​Cable Gauge​​: 13 AWG (2.5mm²) with 450/750V insulation

• ​​Environmental and Safety Features​​:

  • ​​Temperature Range​​: -40°C to 75°C (thermoplastic elastomer jacket)
  • ​​Fire Resistance​​: IEC 60332-1-2 Cat A flame-retardant
  • ​​Certifications​​: SASO-IEC 60884-1, RoHS 3

• ​​Mechanical Durability​​:

  • ​​Bend Radius​​: ≥35mm (2,000+ flex cycles)
  • ​​Pull Strength​​: 45kgf (441N) tensile resistance

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• ​​Compatibility​​:
  Cisco Catalyst 9300/9400, UCS C220 M6/C480 ML, and ASR 9904/9912.

​​Deployment Scenarios and Regulatory Validation​​

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​​Case 1: Aramco’s IoT-Enabled Oil Refineries​​

• Deployed in ​​Ras Tanura Refinery​​ for Catalyst 9300 switches:
  • Withstood 55°C ambient temps and sandstorms via IP54-rated connectors.
  • Met ​​SASO 2203:2018​​ requirements for hazardous location wiring.

​​Case 2: NEOM Smart City Backbone​​

• Used in ​​NEOM’s OXAGON industrial zone​​ for ASR 9912 routers:
  • Survived 85% humidity in coastal areas with anti-corrosion nickel-plated pins.
  • Enabled ​​SLA 99.999% uptime​​ under Saudi Electricity Company grid fluctuations.

​​Integration Challenges and Mitigation Strategies​​

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1. ​​Plug Type Mismatch in Legacy Facilities​​:

   • ​​Symptom​​: Incompatibility with Type F (Schuko) outlets in Jeddah’s older data centers.
   • ​​Resolution​​: Deployed ​​Cisco CAB-ADPT-SA-F​​ SASO-certified adapters.

2. ​​Voltage Fluctuations in Remote Sites​​:

   • ​​Trigger​​: 180V sags caused UCS C480 ML servers to reboot in Empty Quarter deployments.
   • ​​Fix​​: Installed ​​Cisco CAB-AVR-3K​​ automatic voltage regulators.

3. ​​Dust Ingress in Desert Environments​​:

   • ​​Issue​​: Sand particles jammed plug contacts at Ma’aden mining sites.
   • ​​Mitigation​​: Applied ​​Cisco CAB-SEAL-SA​​ silicone boot covers.

Source certified PWR-CAB-AC-SA= cables to avoid compliance penalties.

​​Performance Benchmarks vs. Non-Certified Cables​​

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• ​​Safety​​:
  Passed 5kV HiPot testing vs. 2kV for generic cables – critical for SASO’s HV grid standards.
• ​​Heat Resistance​​:
  No insulation softening at 75°C vs. deformation at 60°C in uncertified cables.
• ​​Dust Protection​​:
  IP54 rating vs. IP20 for non-SASO cables – reduced maintenance by 70% in desert sites.
• ​​TCO​​:
  SAR 350 vs. SAR 90 for generic – justified by 5-year warranty and 90% lower failure rates.

​​Operational Best Practices​​

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1. ​​Installation Protocol​​:

   • Torque plug screws to ​​0.8–1.0Nm​​ using ​​Cisco CAB-TQ-SA​​ tools.
   • Maintain ≥40mm clearance from high-voltage DC busbars to prevent arcing.

2. ​​Preventive Maintenance​​:

   • Test insulation resistance biannually (≥1GΩ @ 1,000V DC) with Megger MIT515.
   • Clean plug contacts quarterly using ​​Cisco CAB-CLR-SA​​ non-conductive spray.

3. ​​Regulatory Audits​​:

   • Verify SASO Conformity Tracking Number (CTN) and IECEE-CB certification.
   • Replace cables showing ≥2mm jacket cracks or discolored insulation.

​​Strategic Insights for Saudi Infrastructure Teams​​

While the PWR-CAB-AC-SA= addresses Saudi Arabia’s harsh operational realities, its ​​premium pricing​​ often tempts cost-driven projects to use non-compliant alternatives – a false economy given ​​2023 Saudi Energy Ministry fines of SAR 500k per violation​​ for non-certified components. The cable’s ​​fixed 13A rating​​ also limits scalability for 20A server clusters emerging in Riyadh’s AI hubs. However, for enterprises prioritizing ​​Vision 2030 compliance​​ and ​​equipment longevity​​, this cable’s SASO alignment and rugged design remain indispensable. As Saudi transitions to smart grids and renewable energy, the need for adaptive power infrastructure will grow – but today, the PWR-CAB-AC-SA= stands as the definitive solution for bridging legacy grids with future-ready networks.