Skip to main content

You are not logged in. Your edit will be placed in a queue until it is peer reviewed.

We welcome edits that make the post easier to understand and more valuable for readers. Because community members review edits, please try to make the post substantially better than how you found it, for example, by fixing grammar or adding additional resources and hyperlinks.

Required fields*

5
  • 6
    Very minor gripe: in para 4, you've opted for 'there is no benefit in a higher rated supply'. Novice users may experience some mildly alarming toastiness caused by running 2.5A out of a supply rated for 2.5A for extended periods. It might be worth amending to 'there is no benefit to the Pi in a higher rated supply'. Commented Jan 19, 2017 at 12:04
  • 1
    @goobering I don't see your point. I agree that many (most?) supplies fail to meet their published specifications (and I already expressed my cynicism about "specifications"), but the PI will definitely NOT deliver more than 2.5A, regardless of the supply. Maybe you want me to say no benefit in a supply which would actually deliver more than 2.5A? Commented Jan 19, 2017 at 12:19
  • 7
    The benefit is entirely to the power supply, not the Pi - if you run a power supply at its rated maximum for extended periods you're inviting early failure and (usually) relatively high temperatures. The high temps particularly can be a little worrisome. If you over-spec the power supply to leave a little headroom you reduce fatigue and extend its longevity a little. Commented Jan 19, 2017 at 12:56
  • 1
    @goobering A power supply that is rated for 2.5A, should be able to deliver that for it's rated live. Commented Dec 20, 2017 at 12:35
  • 1
    @Christian: Maybe... but I see very few that list "rated life" among their specs. Also, if this power supply is only required to deliver something less than its rated current, it will last longer. Heat kills, and more heat kills quicker. Commented Jun 14, 2018 at 16:44