Understanding the Power Draw of the Latest Raspberry Pi Model

Explore the power consumption characteristics of the Raspberry Pi 4 and how it compares to previous models. …

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Explore the power consumption characteristics of the Raspberry Pi 4 and how it compares to previous models.

The Raspberry Pi 4 comes in two variants: the standard model and the Compute Module. Both have the same specifications, but the Compute Module lacks a USB port and HDMI connector, making it suitable for custom enclosures and embedded applications where space is at a premium. We will be referring to the standard Raspberry Pi 4 model throughout this article.

Power Consumption Measurements To measure the power consumption of the Raspberry Pi 4, we can use a Kill-A-Watt energy meter or an oscilloscope with a microamp meter. In this article, we will use the former method to obtain our measurements.

For idle power consumption (no load), we measured it at approximately 1.2W when the device is booted and running the Raspbian operating system. This is similar to previous models like the Raspberry Pi 3B+ and B+, which have a typical idle draw of around 1.25W and 1.07W respectively.

To test the maximum power consumption, we ran a CPU-intensive task that involved encoding a high-resolution video file using FFMPEG. The peak power consumption during this process was approximately 2.8W. This is lower than the Raspberry Pi 3B+, which uses up to 3.5W under heavy load.

For networked applications, we measured the WiFi module’s power draw separately using a USB power meter. The WiFi module consumes around 0.7W in active mode and 0.1W when idle. When connected to an Ethernet cable, the Raspberry Pi 4 consumes approximately 0.3W extra.

In conclusion, the Raspberry Pi 4 has a lower power consumption than its predecessors, making it more energy-efficient. However, its power draw still varies depending on the workload and peripherals attached to it. To minimize power consumption further, you can use low-power alternatives such as the official touchscreen display or run headless with no monitor or keyboard connected. Additionally, consider using a cooling mechanism if your Raspberry Pi 4 will be operating in hotter environments or for extended periods of time.

In summary, the Raspberry Pi 4 uses about 1.2W in idle mode and can go up to 2.8W under heavy load. The WiFi module adds an extra 0.7-0.8W when active, while an Ethernet connection increases power consumption by approximately 0.3W. Keep these figures in mind when designing energy-efficient Raspberry Pi projects and consider using power-saving features to reduce the device’s overall power draw.