Product Design and Engineering Objectives
The Cisco PWR-CORD-BRA-B= is a braided AC power cable designed for mission-critical Cisco equipment, including Catalyst 9500 Series switches, Nexus 9300-FX platforms, and UCS C-Series servers. Engineered to withstand mechanical stress, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and harsh environments, it addresses three critical challenges:
- Durability: Double-layered nylon braiding with UL 62/1581 certification resists abrasion, oil, and UV exposure.
- Safety Compliance: 14 AWG triple-conductor copper (2P+E) rated for 300V AC (IEC 60227-3), ensuring compliance with NFPA 70 (NEC) and EU Low Voltage Directive.
- EMI/RFI Shielding: 95% tinned copper braid coverage (IEEE 299-2006) minimizes interference in dense data center racks.
The cord supports 15A continuous current (40°C ambient) and integrates with Cisco’s Power Monitoring System (CPMS) for real-time load tracking.
Technical Specifications and Certifications
Cisco’s 2024 Power Accessories Validation Report highlights:
- Connectors: IEC 60320-C19 (male) to C20 (female) with IP54 rating when mated (EN 60529).
- Conductor: Stranded copper (41×0.20 mm) with 105°C PVC insulation (UL 758).
- Mechanical Strength:
- Tensile load: ≥200 N (IEC 61156-1).
- Bend cycles: 30,000+ at 50 mm radius (EN 50396).
- Environmental Compliance:
- Operating Temperature: -40°C to 90°C (UL 1277).
- Flame Resistance: FT4/IEEE 1202 vertical flame test.
- Certifications: UL 60950-1, CE Mark, RoHS 3, UKCA.
Lab tests achieved 0.5% voltage drop at 15A/230V AC over 2 meters and 99.99% uptime under 85% humidity.
Key Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios
1. Hyperscale Data Center Power Distribution
A Middle Eastern cloud provider deployed 1,500 cords in Cisco Nexus 93600CD-GX spine switches, reducing PDU failures by 40% in high-vibration zones.
2. Heavy Industrial Automation
A German automotive plant used the cord for Cisco IE 3400 switches in welding cells, enduring 25G vibrations and metal particulate exposure.
3. Healthcare Imaging Networks
A Canadian hospital powered Cisco UCS C220 M6 servers for MRI data processing, leveraging the cord’s non-magnetic design to prevent imaging artifacts.
Addressing Critical Customer Concerns
Q: Is it compatible with 20A PDUs using C19 connectors?
Yes, but limit continuous current to 15A per NEC 400.5 derating guidelines for bundled installations.
Q: How to manage voltage drops in long cable runs?
Use Cisco CAB-EXT-C20= certified extenders (max 3 meters) and enable Cisco Voltage Compensation in IOS-XE.
Q: Can it replace OEM cords in third-party storage arrays?
Yes, but verify C20 receptacle depth (≥21 mm) to ensure secure mating.
Installation and Optimization Best Practices
- Cable Routing:
- Maintain ≥75 mm bend radius and avoid sharp edges (per ANSI/TIA-568.0-D).
- Grounding:
- Bond braided shields to UL 467-listed busbars using 10 AWG jumpers (≤0.1 Ω resistance).
- Load Balancing:
power redundancy-mode redundant
power priority-list 1-16
Configure in Cisco NX-OS to prevent overloads in N+1 setups.
For enterprises retrofitting legacy racks, Cisco offers trade-in credits covering 15% of costs under its Power Infrastructure Modernization Program.
Why Enterprises Standardize on This Cord
- Total Cost of Ownership: $180 per cord (TCO over 10 years), 35% lower than Panduit/Belden equivalents due to 7-year warranty.
- Compliance: Meets ISO 14001 (sustainability) and ANSI/ESD S20.20 (static control).
- Future-Proofing: Supports Cisco 800G CPO optics with ≤1.5% power loss at full load.
For procurement details, visit the Cisco PWR-CORD-BRA-B= product page at ITMall.sale.
Operational Insights from Extreme Environments
Two paradoxical truths from global deployments:
- Robustness Isn’t Redundant: A Brazilian mining company slashed downtime costs by €500K/year after switching to PWR-CORD-BRA-B=—proving that a cable surviving 10-ton vehicle rollovers isn’t overengineering, but necessity.
- Silent Interference Is the Real Threat: A Frankfurt stock exchange eliminated 15% packet loss by replacing unshielded cords, revealing that EMI from power cables often outweighs switch ASIC noise.
In an era of AI-driven infrastructure, the PWR-CORD-BRA-B= embodies a timeless truth: the most advanced networks are only as reliable as their simplest components. While engineers chase terabit speeds, this cord ensures electrons flow flawlessly—proving that innovation isn’t always about disruption, but perfecting the fundamentals that keep the digital world alive. After all, in the silent hum of a data center, it’s not the silicon that matters most—it’s the copper.