CAB-C15-AC=: Why Is This Cisco Power Cable Crucial for High-Temperature Applications?



​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.


Related Post

UCSC-C4200-SFF= Rack Server: Architectural In

​​Core Technical Specifications​​ The ​​UCS...

What Is the AIR-PWRINJ-60RGD2=? Cisco’s Rug

Overview of the AIR-PWRINJ-60RGD2= The ​​AIR-PWRINJ...

What Is the Cisco L-FPR4110T-URL= Module? How

​​Decoding the L-FPR4110T-URL=: A Specialized URL P...