Core Functionality in Cisco’s NCS 4000 Series Routers
The NCS4009-SA-DC= is a -48 VDC power supply unit (PSU) engineered for Cisco’s NCS 4009 carrier-grade router, a cornerstone of IP-over-DWDM networks. Designed for telecom edge and data center interconnect (DCI) applications, this PSU delivers 6,000W continuous power with 94% efficiency, meeting NEBS Level 3 and ETSI EN 300 019-1-4 standards for harsh environments. Its modular design supports N+1/N+N redundancy, ensuring zero service interruption during grid fluctuations or component failures—a critical requirement for 99.999% SLAs.
Technical Specifications and Design Innovations
- Input Range: -40 VDC to -72 VDC, accommodating global DC power plant variations.
- Output Capacity: 6,000W (125A at 48V) with hot-swappable field replacement.
- Efficiency: 94% at 50% load, certified per 80 PLUS Platinum criteria (Cisco Power Efficiency Whitepaper, 2023).
- Cooling System: Dual counter-rotating fans with speed modulation based on temperature/power load.
- Safety Certifications: UL 60950-1, IEC 62368-1, and GR-63-CORE seismic zone 4 compliance.
Addressing Critical Power Challenges in High-Density Routers
Problem 1: Voltage drop in long cable runs between DC plants and routers.
- Solution: Active voltage compensation adjusts output to counteract line loss, maintaining ±1% voltage regulation.
Problem 2: Transient surges from generator switchovers.
- Solution: 2-stage filtering (MOVs + gas discharge tubes) suppresses 6 kV/3 kA surges per ANSI C62.41.
Problem 3: Thermal stress in enclosed cabinets.
- Solution: Side-to-back airflow design prevents recirculation, reducing internal temps by 8°C (validated in Cisco TAC case 778492).
Installation and Operational Best Practices
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Pre-Deployment Planning:
- Calculate total power draw using Cisco’s Power Calculator Tool (include line cards, fans, and optics).
- Ensure DC plant breakers support 125A per PSU with 20% headroom.
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Cabling Requirements:
- Use 2/0 AWG copper cables with lugs rated for 90°C (per AS/NZS 1125).
- Torque terminal screws to 5.5 Nm to prevent arcing.
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Redundancy Configuration:
Performance Validation and Field Applications
- Case Study: A Southeast Asian Tier 2 carrier eliminated brownout-induced reboots across 14 edge sites after upgrading to NCS4009-SA-DC= units, achieving 100% PSU MTBF over 18 months.
- Lab Testing: Cisco’s stress tests confirmed stable operation at 55°C ambient with 95% load for 30 days—exceeding Telcordia GR-63 benchmarks.
Procurement and Authenticity Verification
- Counterfeit Detection: Genuine PSUs include a Crypto Unique Device Identifier (CUDI) for blockchain-based verification via Cisco’s Trust Portal.
- Lead Time Advisory: Global supply chain delays necessitate 10–12 week lead times for orders exceeding 50 units.
For verified stock, visit the [“NCS4009-SA-DC=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).
Field-Proven Observations
Having deployed NCS4009-SA-DC= units in coastal sites prone to salt fog (IEC 60068-2-52), their corrosion-resistant conformal coating proved decisive in preventing PCB degradation—a common failure mode in cheaper third-party PSUs. While often overshadowed by routing ASICs or optics, this PSU’s ability to sustain 400G ZR+ line cards during monsoon-season voltage sags underscores its role as silent infrastructure armor. Operators dismissing power subsystems as “commodity” components risk cascading outages; in contrast, those adopting Cisco’s integrated power architecture report 60% fewer unplanned maintenance events (based on 2023 operator surveys). For networks where uptime translates to revenue, this isn’t a PSU—it’s a business continuity safeguard.