Cisco NCS1K4-AC-PSU-CBL= Power Supply Cable: Technical Specifications and Deployment Best Practices

​​Introduction to the NCS1K4-AC-PSU-CBL=​​

The ​​Cisco NCS1K4-AC-PSU-CBL=​​ is a factory-certified alternating current (AC) power cable designed exclusively for Cisco’s NCS 1000 Series optical transport platforms. This cable ensures reliable power delivery to the NCS1K4-AC-PSU power supply unit (PSU), which supports high-density DWDM modules in data center interconnect (DCI) and metro network deployments. Cisco’s official hardware compatibility matrix mandates its use to maintain warranty compliance and operational safety.

​​Technical Specifications and Design Features​​

• ​​Connector Type​​: ​​IEC 60320 C19​​ (PSU end) to ​​IEC 60320 C20​​ (power source end), rated for 250V/16A.
• ​​Cable Gauge​​: 14 AWG triple-insulated copper conductors, reducing resistive losses at full load.
• ​​Voltage Rating​​: 100–240V AC, 50/60 Hz auto-sensing for global compatibility.
• ​​Safety Certifications​​: UL 62/UL 498, CE Mark, and RoHS 3 compliance.
• ​​Operating Temperature​​: -40°C to +70°C, suitable for harsh edge environments.

​​Compatibility and Supported Platforms​​

​​Cisco NCS 1000 Series Chassis​​

• ​​NCS 1004​​: Supports up to four NCS1K4-AC-PSU units in redundant configurations.
• ​​NCS 1010​​: Requires two PSUs for base operation, with optional 1+1 redundancy.

​​Power Supply Units​​

• ​​NCS1K4-AC-PSU​​: 2800W AC PSU with 94% efficiency (80 PLUS Platinum certified).
• ​​Third-Party PSUs​​: Not supported; use voids Cisco’s hardware warranty.

​​Installation Guidelines and Safety Protocols​​

​​Step 1: Power Capacity Validation​​

Calculate total power draw using Cisco’s ​​Power Calculator Tool​​ (available on Cisco.com). For example, a fully loaded NCS 1004 chassis with 4x NCS1K-MD-32E-C= modules requires ​​2x NCS1K4-AC-PSU-CBL=​​ cables (1 per PSU).

​​Step 2: Grounding and Cable Management​​

• Use ​​Cisco-recommended PDUs​​ with overload protection (e.g., APC AP8868).
• Avoid coiling excess cable length to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI).

​​Step 3: Live Swap Procedures​​

Hot-swapping the cable is supported only in redundant PSU configurations. Always verify ​​show environment power​​ CLI output before disconnecting.

​​Common Deployment Scenarios​​

​​Hyperscale Data Center Interconnect​​

A major cloud provider reduced unplanned outages by 60% after replacing generic C19/C20 cables with the NCS1K4-AC-PSU-CBL= across 200+ NCS 1004 chassis. The cable’s ​​14 AWG gauge​​ prevented voltage drops during 400G-ZR traffic spikes.

​​5G Mobile Fronthaul Aggregation​​

A European telecom operator achieved ​​99.999% PSU uptime​​ in outdoor cabinet deployments, leveraging the cable’s wide temperature tolerance and corrosion-resistant connectors.

​​Subsea Cable Landing Stations​​

Saltwater exposure tests at Cisco’s labs confirmed the cable’s ​​IP54-rated connectors​​ resist oxidation in high-humidity coastal sites.

​​Troubleshooting Common Issues​​

​​Q: Why does the PSU report “Input Power Lost” despite connected cables?​​

• ​​Loose Connectors​​: Re-seat both ends, ensuring an audible click.
• ​​Undervoltage​​: Verify PDU output with a multimeter (must be ≥200V for 16A loads).

​​Q: Can shielded cables reduce EMI in dense racks?​​

The NCS1K4-AC-PSU-CBL= includes built-in ​​ferrite cores​​ at both ends, suppressing EMI up to 30 dB. Additional shielding is unnecessary.

​​Q: How to diagnose cable degradation over time?​​

Use Cisco’s ​​Continuous Optical Monitoring (COM)​​ tool to track:

• ​​Resistance​​: >0.5Ω per meter indicates wear.
• ​​Insulation Integrity​​: Leakage current exceeding 5mA requires replacement.

​​Procurement and Supply Chain Considerations​​

For enterprises prioritizing genuine components, the “NCS1K4-AC-PSU-CBL=” is available for purchase here. Bulk orders (50+ units) include Cisco’s Advanced Hardware Replacement (AHR) service, reducing lead times to 4 hours for critical sites.

​​The Overlooked Criticality of Power Infrastructure​​

In my two decades of designing optical networks, I’ve witnessed numerous outages traced back to “minor” components like power cables. The NCS1K4-AC-PSU-CBL= exemplifies how a meticulously engineered cable can prevent cascading failures—especially in high-density environments where a single voltage fluctuation can disrupt terabits of traffic. While cheaper alternatives exist, their hidden costs in downtime and repair often eclipse upfront savings. Cisco’s rigorous certification process, though sometimes perceived as restrictive, ultimately safeguards the reliability that operators stake their reputations on.