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Power Consumption for an AC-Powered MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Router
AC Power Circuit Breaker Requirements for the MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Router
AC Power Cord Specifications for MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers
Power Consumption for a DC-Powered MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Router
DC Power Circuit Breaker Requirements for the MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers
DC Power Source Cabling for MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers
DC Power Cable Specifications for MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers
MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Power System
MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Power System Description
The MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 routers use either
AC or DC power supplies (see Figure 1 and Figure 2). The router contains
either one or two power supplies located at the front of the chassis
in slots PS0
and PS1
(right
to left). Each power supply has a handle, an ejection lever, a power
switch, and a status LED. The power supplies connect to the baseboard,
which distributes the different output voltages produced by the power
supplies to the router components, depending on their voltage requirements.
When two power supplies are present, they share power almost equally
within a fully populated system. If one power supply in a redundant
configuration fails or is removed, the remaining power supply assumes
the entire electrical load without interruption. A single power supply
provides the maximum configuration with full power for as long as
the router is operational. A second power supply can be installed
for redundancy. Each power supply is cooled by its own internal cooling
system.
Redundant power supplies are hot-removable and hot-insertable. When you remove a power supply from a router that uses only one power supply, the router might shut down depending on your configuration.
The router cannot be powered from AC and DC power supplies simultaneously.
Routers configured with only one power supply are shipped with a blank panel installed over the power supply slot that is not populated.


AC Power Supply Description
Each AC power supply weighs approximately 2.6 lb (1.18 kg) and consists of a handle, an ejection lever, an AC appliance inlet, an AC input switch, a fan, and an LED to monitor the status of the power supply. Figure 3 shows the power supply.
Each inlet requires a dedicated AC power feed and a dedicated customer site circuit breaker. We recommend that you use a minimum 15 A (110 VAC) customer site circuit breaker, or as required by local code.

The router is pluggable type A equipment installed in a restricted-access location. It has a separate protective earthing terminal (sized for SAE 10-32 ground screws) provided on the chassis in addition to the grounding pin of the power supply cord. This separate protective earthing terminal must be permanently connected to earth.
DC Power Supply Description
Each DC power supply has a handle, an ejection lever, a power switch, a status LED, and a terminal block that provides a single DC input (–48 VDC and return) that requires a dedicated customer site circuit breaker. We recommend that you use a dedicated customer site circuit breaker rated for 13 A (–48 VDC) minimum, or as required by local code. Figure 4 shows the power supply.

MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Power Supply LED
Each power supply has a bi-color status LED located above the power switch on the power supply.
Table 1: Power Supply LED
Color | State | Description |
---|---|---|
Blue | On steadily | Power supply is functioning normally. |
Red | Blinking | Power supply has failed. |
Red | Offline | PEM is in offline mode. |
MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers AC Power Specifications
Table 2 lists the AC power system electrical specifications.
Table 2: AC Power System Electrical Specifications
Item | Specification |
---|---|
AC input voltage | Operating range: 90 to 264 VAC |
AC input line frequency | 50 to 60 Hz (nominal) |
AC system current rating | 6 A @ 110 VAC (7 A maximum per inlet at 90 VAC) or 3 A @ 220 VAC |
AC system input power | 610 W |
Table 3 lists the AC power supply electrical specifications.
Table 3: AC Power Supply Electrical Specifications
Item | Specification |
---|---|
Maximum output power | 500 W |
AC input voltage | Operating range: 90 to 264 VAC (nominal) |
AC input line frequency | 50 to 60 Hz (nominal) |
AC input current rating | 6 A @ 110 VAC or 3 A @ 220 VAC maximum |
Power Consumption for an AC-Powered MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Router
To allow for future growth so that you can operate the router in any hardware configuration without upgrading the power infrastructure, we recommend that you provision 6 A @ 110 VAC (660 W) or 3 A @ 220 VAC (660 W) for each input.
Table 4 and Table 5 list the power requirements for base AC-powered routers operating under typical voltage conditions.
If you do not plan to provision 6 A @ 110 VAC (660 W) or 3 A @ 220 VAC (660 W) for each input, you can use the information in Table 4, Table 5, and Table 6 to calculate the power consumption and thermal output for your hardware configuration.
Table 4: AC Base Router Power Requirements for the Fixed MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers
Fixed Chassis Configuration | Power Requirement (Watts) | Power Requirement (Watts) with 85% Efficiency |
---|---|---|
Chassis running at high activity, with four 10-Gigabit Ethernet XFPs, and fans running at high speed | 320 W | 376 W |
Table 5: AC Base Router Power Requirements for the Modular MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers
Modular Chassis Configuration | Power Requirement (Watts) | Power Requirement (Watts) with 85% Efficiency |
---|---|---|
Chassis running at high activity, with four 10-Gigabit Ethernet XFPs, two MICs, and fans running at high speed | 310 W | 365 W |
Chassis running at high activity without the two MICs | 240 W | 282 W |
Table 6 lists the power requirements for various hardware components when the router is operating under typical voltage conditions.
Table 6: Component Power Requirements
Component | Power Requirement (Watts) | Power Requirement (Watts) with 85% Efficiency |
---|---|---|
MIC (generalized value) | 35 W | 41 W |
These examples use generalized values per MIC. For exact MIC power requirements, see the MX Series Interface Module Reference.
The following calculations show the typical power consumption for modular AC-powered routers @ 220 V (includes 85% efficiency):
Active AC-powered router with one MIC:
Base router (high activity, with four 10-Gigabit Ethernet XFPs, and fans running at high speed) + 1 MIC =282 W + 41 W = 323 WActive AC-powered router with two MICs:
Base router (high activity, with four 10-Gigabit Ethernet XFPs, and fans running at high speed) + 2 MICs282 W + 2(41 W)= 364 WExample of calculating system thermal output:
Watts AC PEM * 3.41 = BTU/hr500 W * 3.41 = 1,705 BTU/hr
See also
AC Power Circuit Breaker Requirements for the MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Router
We recommend that you use a dedicated customer site circuit breaker rated for 15 A (110 VAC) minimum or 10 A (220 VAC) minimum for each AC power feed, or as required by local code. Doing so enables you to operate the router in any configuration without upgrading the power infrastructure.
AC Power Cord Specifications for MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers
Each AC power supply has a single AC appliance inlet located on the power supply that requires a dedicated AC power feed. Most sites distribute power through a main conduit that leads to frame-mounted power distribution panels, one of which can be located at the top of the rack that houses the router. An AC power cord connects each power supply to the power distribution panel.
You can order detachable AC power cords, each approximately 8 ft (2.5 m) long that supply AC power to the router. The C13 appliance coupler end of the cord inserts into the AC appliance inlet coupler, type C14 as described by International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard 60320. The plug end of the power cord fits into the power source receptacle that is standard for your geographic location.
Table 7 provides specifications on the AC power cord provided for each country or region.
Table 7: AC Power Cord Specifications
Country | Model Number | Electrical Specification | Plug Type |
---|---|---|---|
Australia | CBL-JX-PWR-AU | 250 VAC, 10 A, 50 Hz | AS/NZ 3112–1993 |
China | CBL-JX-PWR-CH | 250 VAC, 10 A, 50 Hz | GB2099.1 1996 and GB1002 1996 (CH1-10P) |
Europe (except Italy and United Kingdom) | CBL-JX-PWR-EU | 250 VAC, 10 A, 50 Hz | CEE (7) VII |
Italy | CBL-JX-PWR-IT | 250 VAC, 10 A, 50 Hz | CEI 23–16/VII |
Japan | CBL-JX-PWR-JP | 125 VAC, 12 A, 50 Hz or 60 Hz | JIS 8303 |
North America | CBL-JX-PWR-US | 125 VAC, 10 A, 60 Hz | NEMA 5-15 |
United Kingdom | CBL-JX-PWR-UK | 250 VAC, 10 A, 50 Hz | BS 1363A |
The AC power cord for the router is intended for use with the router only and not for any other use.
The attached power cable is only for this product. Do not use the cable for another product. Translation in Japanese follows:

In North America, AC power cords must not exceed approximately 14.75 ft (4.5 m) in length, to comply with National Electrical Code (NEC) Sections 400-8 (NFPA 75, 5-2.2) and 210-52, and Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) Section 4-010(3). You can order AC power cords that are in compliance.
The router is pluggable type A equipment installed in a restricted-access location. It has a separate protective earthing terminal (sized for SAE 10-32 ground screws) provided on the chassis in addition to the grounding pin of the power supply cord. This separate protective earthing terminal must be permanently connected to earth.
Power cords and cables must not block access to device components or drape where people could trip on them.
MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers DC Power Specifications
Table 8 lists the DC power system electrical specifications.
Table 8: DC Power System Electrical Specifications
Item | Specification |
---|---|
DC input voltage | Operating range: –40 to –72 VDC |
DC system input current rating | 13 A @ –48 VDC (maximum) (625 W DC) |
DC system input power | 13 A @ –48 VDC (625 W DC) |
Table 9 lists the DC power supply electrical specifications.
Table 9: DC Power Supply Electrical Specifications
Item | Specification |
---|---|
Maximum output power | 500 W |
DC input voltage | Minimum: –40 VDC Nominal: –48 VDC, –60 VDC Operating range: –40 to –72 VDC |
DC input current rating | 13 A @ –48 VDC |
Power Consumption for a DC-Powered MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Router
To allow for future growth so that you can operate the router in any hardware configuration without upgrading the power infrastructure, we recommend that you provision at least 13 A @ –48 VDC for each input.
Table 10 and Table 11 list the power requirements for base DC-powered routers operating under typical voltage conditions.
If you do not plan to provision at least 13 A @ –48 VDC per input, you can use the information in Table 10, Table 11, and Table 12 to calculate the power consumption @ –48 VDC and thermal output for your hardware configuration.
Table 10: DC-Powered Base Router Power Requirements for the Fixed MX80 Router
Fixed Chassis Configuration | Power Requirement (Watts) | Current Requirement (Amps @ –48 VDC) |
---|---|---|
Chassis running at high activity, with four 10-Gigabit Ethernet XFPs, and fans running at high speed | 320 W | 6.7 A (approximate) |
Table 11: DC-Powered Base Router Power Requirements for the MX5, MX10, MX40, and Modular MX80 Router
Modular Chassis Configuration | Power Requirement (Watts) | Current Requirement (Amps @ –48 VDC) |
---|---|---|
Chassis running at high activity, with four 10-Gigabit Ethernet XFPs, two MICs, and fans running at high speed | 310 W | 6.5 A (approximate) |
Table 12 lists the power requirements for various hardware components when the router is operating under typical voltage conditions.
Table 12: Component Power Requirements for DC-Powered Routers
Component | Power Requirement (Watts) | Current Requirement (Amps @ –48 VDC) |
---|---|---|
MIC (generalized value) | 35 W | 0.73 A |
These examples show how to calculate typical power consumption for your DC-powered router configuration. The examples use generalized values for MICs. For exact MIC power requirements, see the MX Series Interface Module Reference.
Typical power consumption for modular DC-powered routers:
Active DC-powered router with one MIC:
Base router (high activity, with four 10-Gigabit Ethernet XFPs, and fans running at high speed) + 1 MIC =5 A + 0.73 A = 5.73 A @ –48 VDC = 275 W DCActive DC-powered router with two MICs:
Base router (high activity, with four 10-Gigabit Ethernet XFPs, and fans running at high speed) + 2 MICs5 A + 2(0.73 A) = 6.46 A @ –48 VDC = 310 W DCInput current from a DC source other than –48 VDC (based on maximum configuration; applies to DC power supply only):
(–54 VDC input) * (input current X) = (–48 VDC input) * (input current Y)54 * X = 48 * 13 AX = 48 * 13 A/54 = 11.5 AExample of calculating system thermal output:
Watts DC * 3.41 = BTU/hr500 * 3.41 = 1,705 BTU/hr
DC Power Circuit Breaker Requirements for the MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers
Each DC power supply has a single DC input (–48 VDC and return) that requires a dedicated circuit breaker. We recommend that you use a dedicated customer site circuit breaker rated for 13 A (–48 VDC) minimum, or as required by local code. Doing so enables you to operate the router in any configuration without upgrading the power infrastructure.
If you plan to operate a DC-powered router at less than the maximum configuration and do not provision a 13 A (–48 VDC) circuit breaker, we recommend that you provision a dedicated customer site circuit breaker for each DC power supply rated for at least 125 percent of the continuous current that the system draws at –48 VDC.
DC Power Source Cabling for MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers
The DC power supply in PS0
must be powered
by a dedicated power feed derived from feed A
, and the DC power supply in PS1
must be powered
by a dedicated power feed derived from feed B
. This configuration provides the commonly deployed A/B
feed redundancy for the system.
You must ensure that power connections maintain the
proper polarity. The power source cables might be labeled (+)
and (–)
to indicate their
polarity. There is no standard color coding for DC power cables. The
color coding used by the external DC power source at your site determines
the color coding for the leads on the power cables that attach to
the terminal studs on each power supply.
For field-wiring connections, use copper conductors only.
Power cords and cables must not block access to device components or drape where people could trip on them.
DC Power Cable Specifications for MX5, MX10, MX40, and MX80 Routers
DC Power Cable Lug Specifications
The accessory box shipped with the router includes the cable lugs that attach to the terminal of each power supply.

Before router installation begins, a licensed electrician must attach a cable lug to the grounding and power cables that you supply. A cable with an incorrectly attached lug can damage the router.
DC Power Cable Specifications
You must supply four DC power cables that meet the following specifications: 16-AWG (1.3 mm2), minimum 60° C wire, or as required by the local code.