Ways to Extend Your Raspberry Pi’s Life
The Raspberry Pi is a wonderful single-board computer that is capable of lasting many years if handled properly and used with care. While every device is bound to give out eventually, there are certain steps you can take to ensure that your Raspberry Pi isn’t dead before its time.
How Long Does a Raspberry Pi Last?
A Raspberry Pi is capable of running for up to ten years, under optimal conditions. The actual life span will vary depending on how it is used and maintained. An overclocked Raspberry Pi placed under heavy load 24/7 will stop working long before a unit that is only used occasionally or for lighter tasks.
The environment in which the Raspberry Pi is stored and used will also affect its life span. It should be kept securely, in a dry area, and protected from dust and physical damage in a good case.
Generally, older models will last longer than newer ones since the faster processors of the latter mean more heat, which leads to the components wearing out sooner.
How to Prolong Your Raspberry Pi’s Life Span
Apart from obvious tips such as not dropping your Raspberry Pi on the floor repeatedly, not splashing water/drinks on it, not letting your pet use it as a chew toy, etc., there are several steps you can take to keep your Raspberry Pi running.
1. Use a High-Quality Power Supply
The power supply is a critical component for the longevity of your Raspberry Pi. Make sure to use a power supply that is rated for your Raspberry Pi’s needs. The official power supply included in a kit (or available separately) is always your best bet, but you can use any other PSU as long as it has the right specifications.
A good power supply should be capable of supplying sufficient power to the Raspberry Pi and have overvoltage protection in the event of power surges. Different Raspberry Pi models have different power requirements, so be sure to check that your power supply is appropriate for your model: the Pi 4 and 400 require a 3A supply (with USB-C connector), while the other models need only 2.5A (with micro-USB connector)—you may be able to get away with as low as 1.2A for a Pi Zero.
Although it is possible to power the Pi via its GPIO pins, this method carries several attendant risks and is best avoided by beginners. This is because GPIO power bypasses the in-built protection on the Raspberry Pi. Supplying unregulated current to electronic components can cause serious damage to them.
2. Properly Shut Down the Pi
You should always shut down the Pi properly before unplugging it. Sudden power loss can cause damage to the file system, which can lead to corruption and data loss.
You can shut down a Raspberry Pi through the terminal or the desktop’s main menu. Either option is fine, as long as you wait for the system to completely power off before plugging the plug. If you’d like to delay the shutdown or add a power switch, be sure to learn more about how to safely shut down a Raspberry Pi.
3. Keep the Raspberry Pi Cool
Overheating can cause damage to the Pi’s components. Make sure to use a heat sink and/or a fan to keep the Pi cool, especially if you plan on running it for long periods.
The Raspberry Pi can be left on for an extended period for projects that need to run 24/7, but you’ll need to provide a high-quality power supply and sufficient airflow and cooling. An always-on Raspberry Pi in a room with poor ventilation is a recipe for disaster.
There are different ways to cool a Raspberry Pi, and you can get creative with it. Most people opt for a passive or active heat sink, a fan, or a combination of both.
Read More: 6 Ways to Extend Your Raspberry Pi’s Life – MakeUseOf
