The Cisco C3850-FAN-T1 is a Type 1 field-replaceable fan module, and Cisco describes it as serving both the Catalyst 3850 switch and the Wireless LAN Controller 5760. The spare part number carries a trailing equals sign, C3850-FAN-T1=, and it is the standard cooling unit for those two platforms, not a variant of one.
Two platforms, one part number
Coverage of the Wireless LAN Controller 5760 is the fact most listings for this module omit, and it matters because a 5760 with a failed fan is otherwise a difficult part to source. Cisco's own description of the module names the Catalyst 3850 and the WLC 5760 together, so a single spare covers both platforms in a site that runs them side by side. Where an estate holds a mix of the two, one spares holding serves the whole fleet.
| Attribute | C3850-FAN-T1 |
|---|---|
| Type | Type 1 fan module, field-replaceable |
| Supported platforms | Catalyst 3850, Wireless LAN Controller 5760 |
| Cisco spare part number | C3850-FAN-T1= |
Airflow direction is not published for this module
Airflow direction is the question most buyers of a fan module want answered, and the honest position is that Cisco does not state it for this part in the platform documentation. Rather than infer a direction from a suffix convention borrowed from another product family, which is a known source of wrongly specified cooling across Cisco lines, the direction on any given unit is confirmed physically before despatch. Send the rack orientation the module is going into with the enquiry and it is checked against the actual part.
Field replacement and spares policy
Type 1 fan modules are field-replaceable, which is why they are a sensible spare to hold rather than a reason to replace a switch. A fan failure on a Catalyst 3850 or a WLC 5760 is a module swap, not a chassis swap, and holding one or two spares per site converts an outage into a maintenance task. That is the practical argument for buying a refurbished module: the part is cheap relative to the platform it protects, and the failure mode it covers is common.
The Catalyst 9300 is the platform that succeeded the 3850, and its cooling modules are different parts that are not interchangeable with this one. Where an estate is mid-refresh, spares have to be held for both generations rather than consolidated onto one part number.
Condition, testing and what ships
Modules are refurbished Cisco parts carrying the original part number, tested on receipt and tested again on the bench before despatch. Parts including fan modules carry the 1-year Enterasource warranty, and shipping is free FedEx Ground to the lower 48 states.
Related Catalyst parts and switches sit in the Cisco networking hardware range. The wider switch catalogue is under Cisco switches, and the successor platform under Catalyst 9300.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platforms does the C3850-FAN-T1 fit?
Cisco describes it as the Type 1 fan module for the Catalyst 3850 and the Wireless LAN Controller 5760. Both platforms take the same part, so a site running a mix of the two needs only one spare part number for cooling. The Cisco spare designation is C3850-FAN-T1= with a trailing equals sign, which is the form that appears on Cisco price lists and quotations.
Is the SKU FAN-T1 the same part as C3850-FAN-T1?
Yes. FAN-T1 is a shortened form of Cisco's own part number, and C3850-FAN-T1 is the designation Cisco publishes. Quoting the full Cisco part number when cross-referencing against a support contract, a bill of materials or another supplier's listing avoids the ambiguity that the short form can introduce, particularly on platforms that use several fan module types.
Which way does this fan module blow?
Cisco does not publish an airflow direction for this module in the platform documentation, and rather than infer one from a suffix convention used elsewhere in the Cisco range, the direction is verified against the physical unit before despatch. Provide the rack orientation and the aisle layout with the enquiry and the module supplied is checked to match it.
Can a fan module be replaced without taking the switch out of the rack?
Yes. The Type 1 fan module is field-replaceable, which is the point of holding one as a spare: a cooling failure becomes a module swap performed in place rather than a chassis replacement. That is why fan modules are among the most useful parts to keep on site for any platform whose switches are carrying live traffic.
