sundance-communications.com/forum Forums VOIP Phones & IP PBX Networking Power usage on network switch with unused ports?

Hello.

I noticed that almost all the dell powerconnect switches on the 27xx series all seem to have a max of about 100V and 1 AMP. From the small 8 port to the larger 24 port model.

I was wondering if the switch uses the same about of power if you are using all the ports or just using a few?

In other words, will a 24 port switch use the same about of power if you use 5 ports or 24 ports?

Just curious if I should look to buying a switch for the exact number of ports needed or if I could get one that could expand.

Thanks

The ratings on the labels may not represent real-world usage. It's cheaper for the manufacturers to use the same power supplies as many of their products as they can. From the AC main supply point of view, the electrical load is the same - a 12V 100W switching power supply, even though internally, the electronics may not draw that much at any given time.

The question you should think of, is what's the minimum you need, and the maximum you could ever need. Like you have 5 desks now, but there's only room for a maximum of 15 desks. Then choose a 24 port if there might be additional devices like network printers. You can always expand later by using a small 5 port switch to switch between up to four other larger switches....

What is, or should be, usually specified in the documentation is the maximum and idle power draw, and the corresponding BTU usage. The actual power/current use does depend on the number of ports in use or rather the demand for switching service from the connected devices. Obviously more ports in use = on-average-more switching demand.
As Rob said, this is probably trivial knowledge. The concern if any, would be in the BTU part. As more ports are being switched, more heat is generated. When you have to, keep them cool and keep your cool.