# Ethernet and power

**URL:** <https://community.particle.io/t/ethernet-and-power/65276>\
**Category:** Device OS\
**Created:** [August 23, 2023, 1:11pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/ethernet-and-power/65276 "2023-08-23T13:11:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![boddeke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/boddeke/32/28034_2.png) [@boddeke](https://community.particle.io/u/boddeke)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 1:11pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/ethernet-and-power/65276/1 "2023-08-23T13:11:42Z")

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hello,

we have a p2 with ethernet controller board and like to be able to save power and turn ethernet off if not used. i see no power difference whether Ethernet.on() or Ethernet.off()? does Ethernet.off() actually ment to keep the controller in reset or put it on low power mode?

thanks  
frank

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**Author:** ![rickkas7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/rickkas7/32/8681_2.png) [@rickkas7](https://community.particle.io/u/rickkas7)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/ethernet-and-power/65276/2 "2023-08-23T13:27:34Z")

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`Ethernet.off()` does not power down the Wiznet W5500 chip.

> <https://github.com/particle-iot/device-os/blob/develop/hal/network/lwip/wiznet/wiznetif.cpp#L371>

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![boddeke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/boddeke/32/28034_2.png) [@boddeke](https://community.particle.io/u/boddeke)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 2:02pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/ethernet-and-power/65276/3 "2023-08-23T14:02:23Z")

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thanks @rickkas7  
is there a way to power down? can we force it in reset?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![rickkas7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/rickkas7/32/8681_2.png) [@rickkas7](https://community.particle.io/u/rickkas7)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 2:09pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/ethernet-and-power/65276/4 "2023-08-23T14:09:31Z")

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I have not attempted it, but it looks like the W5500 can use power down by setting the `OPMDC` bits in the `PHYCFGR` register by SPI. However even when powered down it uses 13 mA, so if you need really low power you'd probably need to add a way to externally power it down.