Overview of the NXA-PHV-350W-PI=

The ​​NXA-PHV-350W-PI=​​ is a compact, hot-swappable AC power supply engineered for Cisco Nexus 3000 and 9000 Series switches in space-constrained environments. Designed to support virtualized network functions (VNFs) and edge computing workloads, this 350W unit delivers 94% efficiency (80 Plus Platinum-certified) while maintaining operational resilience in non-climate-controlled settings.

Technical Specifications and Design Architecture

• ​​Input Voltage​​: 90–264 VAC (universal), 47–63 Hz, with active power factor correction (PFC >0.95).
• ​​Output​​: 350W continuous power at 12V DC (29.2A max), compliant with ​​IEC 62368-1​​ and ​​UL 60950-1​​ safety standards.
• ​​Efficiency​​: 94% at 50% load, 89% at 100% load (80 Plus Platinum).
• ​​Cooling System​​: Single 40mm fan with ​​Thermal Throttling​​ to prevent overheating in passive airflow environments.
• ​​Compatibility​​: Nexus 3172PQ, 93180YC-FX, and C9336C-FX2 switches.

​​Key Features​​:

• ​​PMBus 1.2 Monitoring​​: Real-time telemetry for voltage, current, and temperature via Cisco NX-OS CLI.
• ​​Dual AC Inputs​​: Optional grid redundancy with independent power feeds.
• ​​Compact Design​​: 1.6” (H) x 3.9” (W) x 7.5” (D), ideal for shallow-depth racks.

Deployment Scenarios and Operational Value

1. Edge Computing Nodes

The ​​NXA-PHV-350W-PI=​​ powers Cisco Nexus 3172PQ switches in 5G MEC (Multi-Access Edge Computing) sites, supporting latency-sensitive applications like autonomous vehicle coordination. A European telco reduced power consumption by 30% compared to legacy 550W PSUs.

2. Industrial IoT Aggregation

In manufacturing plants, the PSU’s -10°C to 60°C operating range ensures reliability for Nexus 93180YC-FX switches aggregating sensor data from robotic assembly lines.

3. Branch Office Virtualization

Hosting ​​Cisco ENFV (Enterprise Network Functions Virtualization)​​ on Nexus 9336C-FX2 switches, the PSU provides stable power for vWAAS and vFirewall instances.

Addressing Critical User Concerns

Q: How does the PI= variant differ from standard 350W models?

​​A:​​ The ​​PI=​​ suffix denotes ​​Platinum Efficiency​​ and ​​Intelligent Fan Control​​, which adjusts RPM based on load (20–100%) rather than fixed thresholds.

Q: Is it compatible with three-phase power systems?

​​A:​​ Yes, but phase balancing must be managed externally. Use ​​Cisco RSP-750-PDU​​ for automated load distribution.

Q: Can it support PoE+ switches?

​​A:​​ No. For PoE workloads, use ​​NXA-PAC-715W-PI=​​ or higher-wattage models.

Procurement and Compatibility Guidance

For Cisco-certified hardware and warranty coverage, the ​​NXA-PHV-350W-PI= is available here​​. Verify chassis compatibility (e.g., Nexus 3172PQ requires two PSUs for redundancy) and facility voltage stability (±10% fluctuation tolerance).

Operational Best Practices

• ​​Thermal Management​​: Maintain ≥1U of vertical clearance above the PSU for optimal airflow.
• ​​Firmware Updates​​: Upgrade via ​​Cisco NX-OS 10.2(6)​​ or later to enable predictive failure alerts.
• ​​Redundancy​​: Deploy in ​​N+1​​ configuration for critical edge nodes, ensuring <5 ms failover during grid outages.

Performance Benchmarks

• ​​Efficiency​​: 94.2% at 230V, 50% load (TÜV-certified).
• ​​MTBF​​: 150,000 hours (Telcordia SR-332, Case 2).
• ​​Noise Output​​: 45 dBA at 40% load (ANSI S12.10 compliant).

Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

• ​​Dust Accumulation​​: Install ​​Cisco NXA-FAN-FILTER​​ to reduce fan maintenance intervals in dusty environments.
• ​​Voltage Spikes​​: Use ​​Cisco SA-ESD2​​ surge protectors in regions with unstable grids.
• ​​Legacy Integration​​: Deploy ​​Cisco Nexus Dashboard​​ to unify power policies across mixed PSU generations.

Final Perspective

The ​​NXA-PHV-350W-PI=​​ challenges the notion that edge and virtualization deployments require oversized power infrastructure. By marrying Platinum efficiency with industrial-grade resilience, Cisco enables operators to future-proof edge sites without overprovisioning. In an era where every watt and cubic inch counts, this PSU isn’t just a component—it’s a strategic enabler of sustainable digital transformation.