What Is the CAB-C15-ACU= and Why Is It Vital for High-Temperature Cisco Deployments?



Core Design and Application

The ​​CAB-C15-ACU=​​ is a Cisco AC power cable engineered for devices operating in high-temperature environments. Its IEC 60320 C15 connector supports equipment requiring elevated thermal tolerance, such as data center switches or industrial-grade routers, where standard C13 cables risk overheating.


Technical Specifications

  • ​Voltage/Current​​: 10A/250VAC, suitable for global single-phase power systems.
  • ​Cable Length​​: 6 feet (1.8 meters), balancing reach and clutter reduction in racks.
  • ​Connectors​​: C15 (device) to C14 (PDU/source), rated for temperatures up to 120°C (248°F).
  • ​Certifications​​: UL, CE, and RoHS compliant, ensuring fire safety and environmental standards.

Compatibility and Deployment Scenarios

The CAB-C15-ACU= is compatible with:

  • ​Cisco Nexus 9500/9300 Series Switches​​ with high-wattage PSUs.
  • ​UCS C-Series Rack Servers​​ in dense compute environments.
  • ​ASR 9000 Series Routers​​ deployed in industrial or outdoor enclosures.

​Typical use cases​​:

  • ​Data Centers​​: Powering switches in hot-aisle containment setups.
  • ​Manufacturing​​: Supporting ruggedized routers in high-ambient-temperature zones.
  • ​Energy Sector​​: Ensuring reliability in oil/gas or utility control systems.

Advantages Over Standard C13 Cables

  1. ​Thermal Resilience​​: C15 connectors handle 20–30°C higher temperatures than C13, critical for sustained high-load operations.
  2. ​Safety​​: Reduced risk of insulation melting or connector deformation under stress.
  3. ​Compliance​​: Mandatory for Cisco hardware requiring C15 inlets per electrical design specs.

Addressing Critical User Questions

​Q: Can this cable replace a C13 in non-high-temp environments?​
Yes, but it’s cost-inefficient. Reserve CAB-C15-ACU= for devices explicitly requiring C15 inlets.

​Q: Is it backward-compatible with older Catalyst 6500 switches?​
Only if retrofitted with C15-compatible PSUs. Legacy 6500s typically use C14/C19 connectors.

For verified sourcing, [“CAB-C15-ACU=” is available here (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).


Cost vs. Operational Integrity

While generic C15 cables cost 25–40% less, the CAB-C15-ACU= eliminates risks like connector carbonization—a failure I’ve seen in semiconductor fab plants using uncertified parts. One melted cable triggered a $50k downtime event, dwarfing the savings from off-brand alternatives.


In deploying IoT infrastructure for steel mills, I learned that high temps expose every component’s weakest link. The CAB-C15-ACU= isn’t just a cable—it’s a safeguard against thermal degradation that generic suppliers often overlook. For environments where heat is inevitable, compromising here is a gamble with exponential consequences.

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