Anyone know why Asus removed their (not really needed, IMO, and sometimes much more of a hassle than it's worth) ground pour around their Ethernet and USB connectors as shown here -->
Given that they're using separate isolation transformers (the LFE8731 part), perhaps it's to provide (or ensure) high-voltage isolation between the ground plane and the "public" ethernet wires?
There is only a removal around the 1+4 ethernet connectors - and so it should be. The ethernet cabling should be isolated up to 1500 V peak. See the IEEE 802 standards (freely downloadable at
The USB connector is galvanically connected to the internal signal ground and supply, and needs no isolation.
Regards, Arie de Muynck
Ah, thanks for the correction, Arie -- I mistook the "1" of the "1+4" Ethernet connectors for a USB connector.
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