Do You Need a Power Supply for Your Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switch?

One of the most common questions we get from customers is, “Do I need a power supply for my Cisco IE switch?”

The answer depends entirely on your site’s power setup. Most Cisco Industrial Ethernet (IE) switches are built to run on DC power, meaning if you already have a suitable DC source available, you can wire the switch directly. If you don’t have DC power, or it’s not the right voltage, you’ll need an external power supply to convert from AC mains or another source.

Understanding Power Options

Industrial Ethernet switches are used in factories, transport systems, and other harsh environments where DC power is often part of the infrastructure. Because of this, Cisco designs the IE series to be flexible:

• DC input ready, typically supporting a range such as 9.6–60VDC depending on model
• Redundant inputs, allowing two separate DC power feeds for backup or load sharing
• Optional external supplies, for sites that only have AC power available

If your site already has a regulated DC feed within the supported voltage range, you can wire it straight in. If not, a compact DIN-rail-mounted power supply is the simplest solution.

Example: Powering a Cisco Catalyst IE-3400

The Cisco IE-3400 Series is a rugged switch platform used across mining, manufacturing, and transport sectors. It can be configured with or without Power over Ethernet (PoE), which affects its power requirements.

• Non-PoE models accept 9.6–60VDC input. In many cases, customers wire each of the two power inputs from separate circuit breakers for redundancy.
• PoE and PoE+ models require 48–54VDC to power both the switch and connected devices such as IP cameras or access points. If your site already provides 48VDC, you can connect it directly. If not, you’ll need an external AC-to-DC power module that can supply the correct voltage and current.

In practice, both approaches work well.
A mining customer with an existing 48VDC control cabinet wired their IE-3400s directly into that supply.
A transport operator with only 240V AC on site used Cisco-approved DIN-rail power supplies to provide 54VDC for PoE switches.

The key is matching the available input power to what the switch requires.

Why the Question Is Open-Ended

Cisco’s industrial switches are built for flexibility, so there is no single answer that fits every site. Some customers already have DC power ready, while others operate in environments with only AC. The same model switch can be plug-and-play for one setup and require a separate power module for another.

If you’re unsure which configuration you need, the XS Network Tech sales team can help you select the right option. We stock both new and refurbished power supplies compatible with Cisco IE switches, including 24VDC and 48VDC models to suit a range of industrial applications.

Need Help Choosing a Power Supply?

If you’re not sure whether your switch can be powered directly or want advice on PoE vs non-PoE models, AC-DC conversion, or redundant power options, talk to our team.

XS Network Tech can supply new or refurbished Cisco-compatible power supplies and help design a reliable power setup for your industrial network.