​​What Is the CAB-C15-AC=?​​

The ​​CAB-C15-AC=​​ is a ​​high-temperature-rated AC power cable​​ designed for Cisco devices operating in environments where heat dissipation is critical. Featuring an ​​IEC C15 connector​​ (hot condition-rated) on the device end and a ​​regional AC plug​​ on the power source side, it ensures safe power delivery to equipment like ​​Cisco UCS servers​​, ​​Nexus switches​​, and ​​PoE-enabled devices​​ that generate significant heat under load.

​​Key Technical Specifications​​

• ​​Voltage Rating​​: 250V AC, 10A
• ​​Connectors​​: ​​IEC C15​​ (device) to regional plug (e.g., ​​NEMA 5-15P​​ for North America)
• ​​Temperature Tolerance​​: Rated for ​​120°C​​ (vs. 70°C for standard C13 cables)
• ​​Certifications​​: ​​UL​​, ​​CSA​​, ​​CE​​, and ​​RoHS​​ compliant
• ​​Length​​: 2 meters (standard for rack deployments)
• ​​Use Case​​: Ideal for ​​high-density racks​​, ​​PoE switches​​, or environments with limited airflow

​​The Significance of the C15 Connector​​

The ​​IEC C15 connector​​ on the CAB-C15-AC= is distinguishable from the common C13 by its ​​notched design​​ and higher heat tolerance. This makes it mandatory for devices like ​​Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series switches​​ with ​​PoE+​​ or ​​UPoE​​ capabilities, which can overheat standard cables. The C15’s ​​120°C rating​​ prevents insulation melting and reduces fire risks in confined spaces.

​​Compatible Cisco Hardware​​

This cable supports Cisco equipment with ​​C16 inlets​​ (the female counterpart to C15), including:

• ​​Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches​​
• ​​UCS C4800 ML Rack Servers​​
• ​​ASR 9900 Edge Routers​​
• ​​Meraki MS390 Switches​​ (with PoE++ support)
  Avoid using C13 cables as substitutes—​​C15/C16​​ pairing is non-interchangeable for safety reasons.

​​Installation Guidelines​​

• ​​Heat Management​​: Route the cable away from hot exhaust zones in vertical racks.
• ​​Plug Verification​​: Match the AC plug to local voltage (e.g., 125V in North America, 230V in EU).
• ​​Load Testing​​: Confirm power draw stays below ​​10A​​ to avoid degrading insulation over time.

​​Where to Source Certified CAB-C15-AC= Cables​​

For guaranteed performance, purchase from ​​itmall.sale’s Cisco inventory​​, which provides ​​authentic, Cisco-tested cables​​ with full compliance documentation.

​​Lessons from the Data Center Trenches​​

During a PoE camera rollout, I witnessed a C13 cable warp and fail under a Catalyst 9300’s load—despite being “rated” for 10A. The ​​CAB-C15-AC=​​ isn’t just a minor upgrade; it’s a requirement for modern high-power setups. In infrastructure, assuming all cables are equal is a gamble no engineer can afford.