ASR-9922-DC= Overview
The ASR-9922-DC= is a Cisco-certified DC power shelf designed for the ASR 9922 Router, a high-density platform in the ASR 9000 Series. It provides -48V DC input compatibility, catering to telecom operators and enterprises with legacy DC power infrastructure.
Technical Breakdown: Core Features
- Power Capacity: Supports 12 kW per shelf (4x 3kW DC PEMs) with N+N redundancy.
- Voltage Range: Accepts -40V to -72V DC, compatible with global telecom DC standards.
- Hot-Swap Functionality: PEMs can be replaced without interrupting router operations.
- Environmental Tolerance: Operates at -5°C to 55°C, ideal for non-climate-controlled edge sites.
Why This Power Shelf Matters in Modern Networks
- Legacy Infrastructure Integration: Enables ASR 9922 deployment in central offices still reliant on DC plants.
- Energy Efficiency: Achieves 94% conversion efficiency, reducing OPEX versus traditional rectifier systems.
- Safety Compliance: Meets Telcordia GR-3108 and ETSI EN 300 132-3 standards for DC installations.
Key Deployment Scenarios
- Wireless Provider Hub Sites: Powers 400G IPoDWDM backhaul routers in 5G networks.
- Submarine Cable Landing Stations: Withstands salt-air corrosion in coastal DC power environments.
- Industrial IoT Gateways: Supports harsh environments like oil refineries with DC backup systems.
Sourcing and Configuration Guidance
While Cisco.com outlines technical requirements, physical validation of components is critical. For assured compatibility, review the ASR-9922-DC= inventory at ITmall.sale.
Implementation checklist:
- Verify DC plant grounding matches Cisco’s ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade) requirements.
- Confirm breaker ratings (63A minimum per PEM feed).
- Order redundant PEMs as single-unit failures reduce total capacity by 25%.
Addressing Operator Concerns
Q: Can this shelf support mixed AC/DC inputs?
No—the ASR-9922-DC= is DC-only. Hybrid deployments require separate ASR-9922-AC shelves.
Q: What happens during DC voltage drops below -40V?
The shelf triggers an alarm and initiates graceful shutdown at -38.5V to prevent hardware damage.
Field Engineer Perspective
In a recent Tier 2 carrier deployment, a “minor” oversight in DC busbar sizing caused a 22-minute outage when PEMs drew simultaneous startup current. The ASR-9922-DC= isn’t just power hardware—it’s a systems engineering challenge. Its value lies not in the shelf itself, but in forcing teams to audit often-neglected DC infrastructure. Those who treat it as a checkbox component risk learning the hard way that even terabit routers are powerless without precision-matched electrons.