C9K-PWR-1500WDC=: How Does Cisco’s 1500W DC Power Supply Solve High-Density Deployment Challenges?



​Understanding the C9K-PWR-1500WDC=​

The ​​C9K-PWR-1500WDC=​​ is a ​​1500W DC power supply​​ engineered for Cisco Catalyst 9400 and 9500 Series modular switches. Designed for environments demanding high power redundancy and scalability, it supports mission-critical networks where uptime and power efficiency are nonnegotiable.


​Technical Specifications and Compatibility​

  • ​Input Voltage​​: -48V to -60V DC, tailored for telecom and industrial DC power plants.
  • ​Output​​: 1500W at 54V DC, with ​​N+N redundancy​​ support for fault-tolerant deployments.
  • ​Efficiency​​: 94% efficiency under typical load, compliant with 80 PLUS Platinum standards.
  • ​Compatibility​​: Exclusive to Catalyst 9407R, 9410R, 9500-32QC, and 9500-48Y4C chassis.
  • ​Cooling​​: Dual fan trays with speed modulation to balance airflow and noise.

​Why Choose the C9K-PWR-1500WDC= Over AC or Lower-Capacity PSUs?​

  • ​Industrial-Grade Resilience​​: Operates reliably in harsh environments (-40°C to 70°C) where AC grid stability is unreliable.
  • ​High-Density PoE Support​​: Powers up to 48x 30W PoE+ devices (e.g., IP cameras, Wi-Fi 6E APs) without derating.
  • ​Space Efficiency​​: Delivers 1.5kW in a single RU slot, reducing the need for additional PSUs in cramped racks.

For deployment guidelines and verified compatibility, refer to ​“C9K-PWR-1500WDC=”​ technical resources.


​Critical Use Cases for the 1500W DC Power Supply​

  • ​5G Mobile Backhaul​​: Supports edge routers and aggregation switches in DC-powered telecom hubs.
  • ​Smart Factory Networks​​: Provides clean, stable power for industrial PoE devices in high-interference settings.
  • ​Modular Data Centers​​: Integrates with Cisco’s StackWise Virtual architecture for seamless power pooling.

​Deployment Best Practices​​:

  1. ​Power Budgeting​​: Allocate 30% headroom to account for inrush currents during device startups.
  2. ​Grounding​​: Use 6 AWG copper grounding wires to prevent voltage fluctuations.
  3. ​Monitoring​​: Enable Cisco’s ​​Power Manager​​ to track real-time consumption and PSU health.

​Addressing Common User Questions​

​Q: Is this PSU hot-swappable?​
Yes, but only when a redundant PSU is active. Always verify redundancy status before removal.

​Q: Can it operate with mixed AC/DC power inputs?​
No. Catalyst 9400/9500 chassis must use uniform AC or DC PSUs; mixing invalidates warranties.

​Q: What’s the MTBF rating?​
Cisco guarantees 200,000 hours (~23 years) under standard operating conditions.


​The Overlooked Risks of Underpowered Deployments​

During a refinery’s network overhaul, a client’s Catalyst 9400 chassis with 1100W PSUs repeatedly tripped breakers when 40+ PoE+ sensors activated simultaneously. Upgrading to the C9K-PWR-1500WDC= resolved the issue by distributing inrush currents across redundant units. While some view high-wattage PSUs as overkill, they’re often the cheapest insurance against downtime in high-density setups. In my experience, underestimating power needs isn’t a cost-saving tactic—it’s a gamble few enterprises can afford.

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