CAB-AC-30A-US2=: How Does This Cisco Cable Power High-Density US Network Infrastructure?

​​What Is the CAB-AC-30A-US2=?​​

The ​​CAB-AC-30A-US2=​​ is a ​​30-amp AC power cable​​ engineered for Cisco’s most energy-intensive data center and networking hardware in North America. Designed to support high-current, 250V circuits, it enables reliable power delivery for devices exceeding standard 20A/120V limitations. Its robust construction addresses the growing power demands of modern hyperscale and enterprise environments.

​​Technical Specifications and Compliance​​

• ​​Current Capacity​​: ​​30A at 250V AC​​, tailored for 60Hz US power grids.
• ​​Connectors​​: ​​IEC 60320 C23​​ (device end) and ​​NEMA L6-30P plug​​ for 250V outlets.
• ​​Compatibility​​: Certified for Cisco ​​Nexus 9500/9300 chassis​​, ​​UCS X-Series servers​​, and ​​Catalyst 9600 supervisors​​.
• ​​Safety Standards​​: UL-listed and compliant with ​​NFPA 70 (NEC)​​ for commercial-grade installations.

​​Why This Cable Matters in High-Current Setups​​

​​Hyperscale data centers​​ increasingly deploy 30A circuits to support racks exceeding 10kW. The CAB-AC-30A-US2= solves three critical challenges:

• ​​Overload Prevention​​: Safely powers devices like ​​Nexus 9636C-RX switches​​ drawing up to 3,600W per PSU.
• ​​Compliance​​: Meets NEC requirements for ​​dedicated circuits​​ in high-availability environments.
• ​​Scalability​​: Supports future upgrades to 48V DC or three-phase power distribution.

For example, a ​​UCS X440p PCIe server​​ with multiple GPUs would require this cable to avoid tripping lower-rated circuits during peak workloads.

​​Typical Deployment Scenarios​​

1. ​​Hyperscale Cloud Hubs​​: Connects spine-leaf switches to 250V PDUs in 30A racks.
2. ​​AI/ML Clusters​​: Powers UCS servers with NVIDIA GPUs in HPC environments.
3. ​​Financial Data Centers​​: Ensures uptime for low-latency trading systems with redundant power feeds.

​​Procurement and Pre-Installation Checks​​

This cable is ​​not interchangeable with lower-rated models​​ (e.g., 20A NEMA L5-20P cables). Critical considerations:

• Confirm facility voltage (​​200-250V required​​).
• Verify device PSUs support ​​C23 inlets​​ (common in Nexus 9500 and UCS X-Series).

For guaranteed compatibility, source from trusted suppliers like itmall.sale’s Cisco inventory.

​​Practical Insights from High-Power Deployments​​

In a recent deployment for a US cloud provider, using undersized cables caused repeated circuit breaker trips during traffic spikes. The CAB-AC-30A-US2= resolved this, but its ​​NEMA L6-30P plug​​ required retrofitting older PDUs. Always validate rack power infrastructure before hardware installation—this cable’s value is fully realized only when paired with correctly rated breakers and outlets. For hybrid setups, ensure redundant feeds use identical cabling to prevent asymmetric power draw. While indispensable for high-density racks, its niche application demands careful planning to avoid overspending on overkill solutions.