Power Consumption of Huawei Access Switches

Huawei access switches typically consume between 20 W and 1000 W depending on model, port configuration, and PoE usage, with energy-saving features available on most series.

Typical Power Consumption by Series

• S5700-LI Series: These energy-saving gigabit Ethernet switches are designed for access layer deployment. Standard models without PoE consume relatively low power, while PoE-enabled models draw additional power depending on the number of active PoE ports. The S5700-LI-BAT series includes built-in batteries to maintain operation during mains power failures, which slightly increases standby power consumption but ensures uninterrupted service .
• S5720-EI Series: Enhanced gigabit Ethernet switches with flexible GE access ports and 10GE uplinks. These switches feature built-in heat dissipation systems, eliminating the need for additional fan trays, which reduces overall power draw. Power consumption varies with port usage, uplink configuration, and whether PoE is enabled .
• CloudEngine S5735-L Series: Simplified gigabit Ethernet switches suitable for enterprise campus access. PoE models, such as the S5735-L48P4X-A, can support a 1000 W PoE power module, which significantly increases total power consumption when all PoE ports are active. Non-PoE models consume considerably less, typically under 100 W for standard configurations .

Energy-Saving Features

Huawei access switches incorporate several energy-efficient technologies:

• Advanced Hibernation Management (AHM): Reduces power usage during low traffic periods .
• Intelligent Stack (iStack): Optimizes power distribution across stacked switches.
• Built-in heat dissipation: Reduces the need for additional cooling hardware, lowering energy consumption .

Calculating Exact Power Consumption

Huawei provides a Hardware Configuration Tool for precise power estimation. This tool allows network planners to input switch model, port configuration, PoE usage, and other parameters to calculate expected power consumption for deployment scenarios .

Practical Considerations

• PoE Usage: Power consumption increases significantly when PoE is active. Each PoE port can draw up to 30 W depending on the standard (802.3af/at/bt).
• Redundancy and Batteries: Models with built-in batteries (S5700-LI-BAT) or external UPS support slightly higher standby power but provide resilience against power outages .
• Deployment Planning: For large-scale access deployments, consider both the switch's base power and PoE load to size UPS and cooling systems appropriately. In summary, Huawei access switches offer a range of power consumption profiles from low-power non-PoE models to high-power PoE-enabled switches, with energy-saving features and calculation tools to optimize deployment efficiency.