HVAC/HVDC Power Supply Overview

The Brocade X6 chassis supports a dual-function high-voltage AC, high-voltage DC (HVAC/HVDC) power supply assembly. This power supply converts AC or DC input to the required DC output power required for device operation.

The Brocade X7 chassis supports a dual-function high-voltage AC, high-voltage DC (HVAC/HVDC) power supply assembly. This power supply converts AC or DC input to the required DC output power required for device operation.

Each HVAC/HVDC power supply assembly provides the following power outputs in Watts at the indicated AC and DC input rated voltages:
  • 1450W (100–120 VAC)
  • 2870W (200–277 VAC)
  • 2870W (240–380 VDC)
The following HVAC/HVDC power supply models are supported:
  • Power supply model supporting nonport-side air intake (NPI). This assembly has two fans that move the air from the nonport side to the port side of the device.
  • Power supply model supporting nonport-side air exhaust (NPE). This assembly has two fans that move the air from the port side to the nonport side of the device.
Consider the following important notes about installing this power supply:
  • You cannot upgrade from standard voltage AC power supplies in an existing chassis to HVAC/HVDC power supplies. You must order a new base chassis and the required HVAC/HVDC power supplies.
  • You cannot mix HVAC/HVDC and standard voltage AC power supplies in the same X6 chassis. All power supplies must be the same type.
  • All HVAC/HVDC power supplies installed in the device must be all either NPI or NPE models. The airflow direction must match the airflow direction of installed fans.

The following figure illustrates power supply assembly components.

Figure 1. HVAC/HVDC Power Supply Assembly
Front view of HVAC/HVDC power supply with callouts to all major components.
  1. Fan 1
  2. Fan 2
  3. Handle
  4. Status LED
  5. HVAC/HVDC power cable receptacle
  6. Airflow label
  7. Captive screw
  8. Power cable restraint cover

Consider the following information when connecting AC power:

  • The X6-8 Director can have three or four power supplies installed, depending on the quantity ordered. The use of the high-voltage line (200 to 277 VAC) is advised because of better power conversion efficiency. See "Power Supply Requirements" in Brocade X7 Director Technical Specifications. for minimum power supplies required for AC low and high voltage line operation, redundancy in case of power supply failure, and other specifications.
  • Redundant AC primary power connections ensure high availability. Each power supply has its own connector. If four power supplies are installed, four primary power connections are required for the X6-8 Director for optimum efficiency and redundancy.
  • The X6-4 Director has two power supplies installed. The use of the high-voltage line (200 to 277 VAC) is advised because of better power conversion efficiency. See "Power Supply Requirements" in Brocade X7 Director Technical Specifications. for minimum power supplies required for AC low and high voltage line operation, redundancy in case of power supply failure, and other specifications.
  • Redundant AC primary power connections ensure high availability. Each power supply has its own connector, so two primary power connections are required for the X6-4 Director for optimum efficiency and redundancy.
  • The X7-8 Director can have three or four power supplies installed, depending on the quantity ordered. You should use the high-voltage line (200 to 277 VAC) because of better power conversion efficiency. See "Power Supply Requirements" in the X7 Director Technical Specifications for minimum power supplies required for AC low and high voltage line operation, redundancy in case of power supply failure, and other specifications.
  • Redundant AC primary power connections ensure high availability. Each power supply has its own connector. If four power supplies are installed, four primary power connections are required for the X7-8 Director for optimum efficiency and redundancy.
  • The X7-4 Director has two power supplies installed. The use of the high-voltage line (200 to 277 VAC) is advised because of better power conversion efficiency. See Power Supply Requirements for  minimum power supplies required for AC low and high voltage line operation, redundancy in case of power supply failure, and other specifications. 
  • Redundant AC primary power connections ensure high availability. Each power supply has its own connector, so two primary power connections are required for the X7-4 Director for optimum efficiency and redundancy.

Power supplies can be removed and replaced without special tools. If you are replacing one power supply in a configuration with N+1 or greater redundancy, the director can continue operating during the replacement if procedures in this guide are followed. Otherwise, installed blades may power off.

Power supplies can be removed and replaced without special tools. If you are replacing one power supply in a configuration with N+1 or greater redundancy, the director can continue operating during the replacement if procedures in this guide are followed. Otherwise, installed blades may power off. See "Power supply requirements" in Brocade X7 Director Technical Specifications for more information about power supply redundancy.

Power cords are available from Brocade. Power cords are 6m (19.68 ft.) long and contain three colored 14 AWG unterminated wires, which are described in the following table:
Table 1. HVAC/HVDC Power Cable Wiring
Label (Color) Function
(black) Negative (-)
(green with yellow stripe) Earth ground (PE)
(red) Return positive (+)

Power cords have an Anderson Saf-D-Grid 400 connectors on the power supply end and unterminated wires on the other end for attaching to AC or DC power sources. Either attach an AC power plug to these wires that meet your facility and local code requirements or connect wires to appropriate DC power terminal blocks.