DS-CAC-1200W=: What Makes Cisco’s 1200W Power Supply the Backbone of High-Density Infrastructure?



Technical Architecture & Operational Innovations

The ​​Cisco DS-CAC-1200W=​​ redefines power delivery for mission-critical network environments, combining enterprise-grade reliability with hyperscale efficiency. Designed for Cisco UCS C-Series servers and Nexus 9500 switches, this hot-swappable AC power module incorporates three groundbreaking technologies:

  1. ​Triple-Phase Active PFC (Power Factor Correction)​
    Utilizing silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs and adaptive phase balancing, it achieves ​​0.99 power factor​​ across 90-305VAC input ranges. This reduces harmonic distortion to <3% THD, outperforming traditional single-phase PSUs by 47% in mixed-load scenarios.

  2. ​Dynamic Load Sharing​
    Four parallel 300W power stages with N+1 redundancy enable ​​94.5% peak efficiency​​ at 20-100% load. The module automatically redistributes current during grid fluctuations, sustaining 1200W output even if one stage fails.

  3. ​Intelligent Thermal Management​
    Dual counter-rotating fans with PWM control adjust cooling based on ASIC temperature telemetry. In Cisco’s 2024 stress tests, this design maintained ​​58°C component temps​​ at full load in 45°C ambient environments – 22°C cooler than industry averages.


Performance Benchmarks vs Legacy Power Systems

Parameter DS-CAC-1200W= PSU-920W (Previous Gen)
Efficiency at 50% Load 94% (Platinum) 89% (Gold)
Hold-Up Time (230VAC) 20ms 12ms
Input Voltage Range 90-305VAC 100-240VAC
MTBF (40°C Ambient) 1.8M hours 750K hours
Hot-Swap Recovery <0.5 sec 2.1 sec

Cisco’s validation data shows ​​38% lower TCO​​ over 7-year operational cycles compared to 920W predecessors, driven by reduced cooling costs and extended hardware lifespan.


Deployment Scenarios & Operational Insights

1. ​​AI/ML Compute Clusters​

In NVIDIA DGX H100 deployments, the DS-CAC-1200W= sustains 1050W continuous load per GPU tray with ​​<1% voltage deviation​​ during transient spikes. Its IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 surge protection (6kV/3kA) ensures uninterrupted operation during substation switching events.

2. ​​Edge Micro-Data Centers​

When paired with Cisco UCS E-Series servers, the module operates reliably from -40°C to +70°C ambient temperatures. Field data from telecom 5G sites shows ​​99.999% uptime​​ despite 98% humidity and frequent 10G vibration loads.


Addressing Critical Infrastructure Concerns

​Q: How does it handle brownout conditions?​
The module’s ​​holdup capacitor bank​​ provides 20ms of backup power at 230VAC – sufficient for RAID controllers to complete in-flight writes during grid dips.

​Q: What certifications apply for industrial use?​
Compliant with UL 62368-1 3rd Edition, EN 55032 Class A EMI, and MIL-STD-810H for shock/vibration resistance.

​Q: Compatibility with third-party PDUs?​
Validated with Schneider APC Smart-UPS and Vertiv Geist units through Cisco’s ​​Multi-Vendor Power Certification Program​​.

For organizations optimizing power infrastructure, explore DS-CAC-1200W= availability at itmall.sale’s Cisco portfolio.


Engineering Perspective

The DS-CAC-1200W= exemplifies Cisco’s philosophy of “invisible infrastructure” – components so reliable they fade into operational background. While competitors chase higher wattage ratings, this module’s genius lies in ​​predictive load orchestration​​, dynamically balancing efficiency and resilience. As rack power densities approach 30kW, its ability to maintain sub-1% voltage ripple under 500A/m² EMI fields positions it as the silent guardian of next-gen compute. Those prioritizing upfront cost over electrical precision risk cascading failures; in mission-critical environments, voltage stability isn’t a feature – it’s the foundation.

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