Tuesday, April 1, 2025
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Research – power supplies and filters on network switches

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Research – power supplies and filters on network switches

Intro

Our research on the impact of a data network on sound reproduction never stops. Although some studies seem to be similar, the perspective is often slightly different. Now we look at the influence of power supply and power filtering on jitter, noise and playback quality. The outcome…? Just check out this article.

We actually took three measurements in this test:

  • Noise from the adapter/power supply. With and without power filter
  • Noise from the Ethernet port. With and without a filter at the power supply
  • Phase noise / Allan Variance. With and without a filter on the power supply

What we are curious about is the audibility of a good power supply and a moderate one with and without a power filter. We also want to see if this can be linked to the results from the measurements we took.

Measuring equipment

We are using the following equipment to perform the measurements:

  • Aeroflex PN9000 with Axtal 100 MHz reference: phase noise / Allan Variance
  • Prism dScope III
  • Tekbox LISN
  • Tekbox Common mode / differential mode splitter
  • Picoscope 5000
  • CDN-T8 network isolator
  • Rigol 815 spectrum analyzer
  • Rigol Electronic DC-Load
  • Variable / sliding resistor (for a clean 1A ‘load’ on the adapters)

Test candidates

  • Netgear GS108(E)
  • Dlink 108 V3 and V4
  • Dlink 1100
  • Zyxel 1200-08
  • IFI iPower 12V
  • Lineair power supply from AliExpress
  • Sbooster BOTW 5V

Let’s start looking at the results.

11 COMMENTS

  1. Sirs,

    Trying to follow your D-Link advice but cannot distinguish DGS-108 Version 3 from 4.

    D-link does not assist and email to D-Link not returned.

    Mine also says on Box: 8 port Gigabit desktop switch. One light on each port.

    On bottom says: H/W Ver.:E1.

    Very much enjoy your testing!

    Best!

    Sean

  2. I’ve used an iFi SupaNova (included filter) power cable in the network box + an IEC C14 to Schucko female before the distributor for switches. This way all the equipment (router, switches, media converters) benefit from the power filtering.

    For grounding the switches (better said, EMI/RFI draining) one can also use the ToughCable Connector Ground from Ubiquiti which can be plugged in one free Ethernet port. I prefer padding the interior of metal casing of the switch with copper adhesive foil and insert a drain copper wire or screw and then plug it (with a regular banana connector) to the special jack in the iFi / SilentPower AC iPurifier (that can be plugged in a free Schucko outlet).

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