Does the heat kill electronics?

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

My iPhone doesn't work a lot during the summer because its too hot. It literally goes into shut down mode to prevent damage. Most phones don't do that and suffer irreparable damage. And yes, heat can destroy most electronics.

My Samsung protects itself as well. The display in DIRECT sunlight can cause pixelated problems. And in DIRECT sunlight the lithium batteries can also cause issues. More specifically, thermal runaway. So to protect that from happening, the phones (with their built in temp sensors) go into protection.

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by Colt AZ

Maybe I missed it, but why would IT department people in hospitals, universities, corporations (etc) keep computer servers in air-conditioned, climate-controlled environments if heat is not a factor? Servers generate heat. Computers generate heat. Unless all we're keyboarding about here is electronic equipment that is not actually on.

There are a several different "specs" that products are designed for... consumer, industrial, automotive, military, just for some examples. Some of the chips that go into servers can generate a LOT of heat, and they need a fairly controlled environment. Contrast that to chips used in a car, which will by necessity need to function without being damaged under a wide range of temperatures.

[TimAZ]

The electronic components used in vehicles are rated to withstand higher temperatures than the parts used in consumer devices. For semiconductor "chips" the internal temperature is more important than the ambient temp. The same router that works well and has proper ventilation even in a hot van will fail in a closed box at 70F because the internal part temperatures will soar above the design limits.

Other components like lithium batteries are more sensitive to excess heat and a single high temperature excursion can damage them permanently.

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

While we were in Phoenix, I kept it powered down when we weren’t using it

I didn't catch that part before. So when you were using it, what was the surrounding temperature? If it was being used inside of a parked vehicle with no a/c running, it's possible it did overheat.

[Colt AZ]

Originally Posted by hikernut

There are a several different "specs" that products are designed for... consumer, industrial, automotive, military, just for some examples. Some of the chips that go into servers can generate a LOT of heat, and they need a fairly controlled environment. Contrast that to chips used in a car, which will by necessity need to function without being damaged under a wide range of temperatures.

Thanks. I appreciate that info!

[Jnvlv247]

Things like phones, yes and anything with a screen-led or lcd left out can be damaged

My dad has a solar radio that does fine in the heat, so some things are made for it