Heat-free: IT devices also suffer in the sun

Contents

The outdoor pools are hoping for many bathers, the North Sea islands for lots of day visitors. Everyone wants to escape the heat because people and animals suffer from it. But even sensitive electronics can be damaged if they are exposed to the heat for long periods of time. For example, smartphones should not be placed on the dashboard or in the glove compartment. Many smartphones, navigation systems, notebooks and other mobile devices feel comfortable at air temperatures of up to 35 °C. Manufacturers point this out in many operating instructions, and this also applies to devices that are switched off. In a parked car, however, temperatures can quickly reach over 60 degrees.

Fanless devices

The problem with smartphones and tablets is that, unlike PCs and notebooks, fanless devices can only dissipate their internal heat passively via their housing. However, if the ambient air is hot, this cooling no longer works. To avoid damage, the processors reduce the clock rate above around 35 degrees, thereby reducing the waste heat; at the same time, performance drops.

The heat is also harmful to all plastic components. For example, glued display foils come loose or become brittle. The display itself reacts more slowly and the display can fade. This is initially reversible, but in the long-term displays age more quickly due to the heat.

The built-in battery is more critical. Batteries do not tolerate overloading and extreme temperatures; their feel-good temperature is between around 10 degrees and not quite 30 degrees. Under high load in a very warm environment, for example when streaming high-resolution content on the beach, the battery temperature quickly exceeds this comfortable range. If the battery temperature reaches over 50 degrees, many devices switch off with a warning or at least block access. Excessive heat accelerates the ageing of the battery and slows down charging.

The energy-saving mode offered by Android and iOS also helps a little. It causes the processor to clock more slowly and many background services remain restricted. Because the charging process, and even more so fast charging, generates a lot of waste heat, you should not operate a smartphone in the car on the on-board power supply if at all possible.

Cool down the smartphone

If a smartphone has been exposed to excessive heat, take it out of direct sunlight, remove the phone case if necessary and switch it off. If there is a fan nearby, place the smartphone in the air stream. Always place it on its cooler surface so that the heat can escape better. Cool metal surfaces in the shade also dissipate heat more quickly.

It is a bad idea to place an overheated smartphone in the refrigerator. Condensation may form inside the device. This also applies to waterproof cases. In the worst case scenario, condensation can cause a short circuit on the circuit board and cause the device to fail. Even if nothing breaks, test strips in the device may react to the moisture. Many manufacturers then refuse to repair under warranty because they assume water damage.

Desktop PC, notebook, NAS and printer

With desktop PCs and notebooks, the fans running at full speed usually indicate that the computer is getting too hot. Dust and dirt hinder ventilation

If a high load on the PC or notebook cannot be avoided, the devices should at least be in the shade. It also helps to reduce the room temperature, for example with a fan and a draught.

Old hard disks in desktop PCs and notebooks are specified for maximum temperatures of up to 50 °C, sometimes even 55 to 60 °C. Permanent damage is only to be feared if temperatures remain too high for months or even years. However, hard disks and flash memory fail more frequently in summer.

All IT and office devices that give off heat – practically all of them – can work less well or fail at high air temperatures. This is all the more true if they are already showing signs of damage, such as fans no longer turning fast enough. Inkjet printers also appreciate a cool place, especially as the ink cartridges dry out more quickly in hot conditions. The same applies to Network Attached Storage (NAS). Long backup sessions should therefore be moved to the cooler hours of the day if possible.

(uk)