Powering the SBCs

Hi everyone,

I would like to pick the brains of our fellow armbianers about powering the small boxes.

My experience is that quality of the outlet, the in-the-wall circuit line, the health of the power strip, the actual voltage out of the plug, etc ... very much matter.

How to best plug a system made of 5-6 devices (sbc+hard-drive+sata multiplier, dac, usb hub, usb wifi keys).

Does phase, pluging orientation change something ?

Is it possible to monitor via software the quality of the power signal from within the SBCs ? Interferences ? What kind of off the shelf instruments can help to monitor the power signal ?

Do ferrites help ? On which cables ?

What about power conditioning versus UPS devices ?

Is anyone using individual solar panel for 5V supply, etc ?

I use a USB Power Meter to monitor from my power supply the amount delivered to a system. My experience is that a power supply that delivers only nominal 5.00V drops fast in delivery to below 4,80v once the SBC is busy with plugged USB devices.

Some commercial wall adapters produce 5,30V to account for this to keep a good voltage while the systems are running. I am gradually moving to them.

How do you guys battle with the power issues ?