# Can you use a new 5.1v 3a psu on a pi0? **URL:** \ **Category:** Raspberry Pi\ **Created:** [May 28, 2022, 3:18pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-you-use-a-new-5-1v-3a-psu-on-a-pi0/19600 "2022-05-28T15:18:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gizmo1990](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/gizmo1990/32/4309_2.png) [@gizmo1990](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/gizmo1990)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 3:18pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-you-use-a-new-5-1v-3a-psu-on-a-pi0/19600/1 "2022-05-28T15:18:44Z")
I need to get some new psus for an old zero and a pi zero 2. Would the new psus increase in amps mean that it definitely shouldn’t be used with older pi’s? I’m thinking I’d rather buy a psu now that can be used for the pi4 later. Obviously I’d also need a little usb c to micro usb adaptor too. Any help much appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![PaulWebster](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/paulwebster/32/6045_2.png) [@PaulWebster](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/PaulWebster)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-you-use-a-new-5-1v-3a-psu-on-a-pi0/19600/2 "2022-05-28T17:24:10Z")
The amps rating of a power supply is how much they are capable of providing - think of it as the maximum flow of water through a tap/faucet. The consuming device takes what it needs (opens the tap only as wide as it needs). So having a power supply with a higher max Amps than is needed by the device is OK. Different story for voltage - make sure they match. Also - double check the connector is the same … mini usb v micro usb v usb-c or have a suitable usb converter. ---
**Author:** ![gizmo1990](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/gizmo1990/32/4309_2.png) [@gizmo1990](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/gizmo1990)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 5:44pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-you-use-a-new-5-1v-3a-psu-on-a-pi0/19600/3 "2022-05-28T17:44:44Z")
Thanks for the reply. That’s my understanding too. The newer psu is 5.1v as opposed to 5v on the older one. That should be within a reasonable tolerance shouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 6:39pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-you-use-a-new-5-1v-3a-psu-on-a-pi0/19600/4 "2022-05-28T18:39:04Z")
The 5.1 is so that you see ~5.0V at the Pi end of the cable under high current draw. The resistance of the wire (small as it is) drops a little of the voltage under high current. 5.1 V won’t hurt a Pi Zero. The newer Micro USB supplies are 5.1v 2.5A output. [Raspberry Pi 12.5W Micro USB Power Supply (for Pi Zero 2 W, 3 B+ and e - Pimoroni](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/raspberry-pi-12-5w-micro-usb-power-supply?variant=39493050171475) And it looks like the older ones are also 5.1v [Official Raspberry Pi Universal Power Supply (Pi 3 & Zero Only) - Pimoroni](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/raspberry-pi-universal-power-supply?variant=48202516490) ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 6:48pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-you-use-a-new-5-1v-3a-psu-on-a-pi0/19600/5 "2022-05-28T18:48:02Z")
Just FYI, what he said regarding current draw applies. The device only draws what it needs. And can’t draw any more than the rated max of the supply. I have a 5V 10A switching power supply that I power multiple Pi’s from. I made up my own custom cable which splits to 3 micro USB and 1 USB C. What gets plugged in varies from combinations of Raspberry Pi’s and Pi PICO’s. ---
**Author:** ![gizmo1990](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/gizmo1990/32/4309_2.png) [@gizmo1990](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/gizmo1990)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 7:35pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-you-use-a-new-5-1v-3a-psu-on-a-pi0/19600/6 "2022-05-28T19:35:57Z")
Thanks for that @alphanumeric A new pi 5.1v 3a psu it is then, with a usbc to micro usb adaptor. :) ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2022, 10:54pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/can-you-use-a-new-5-1v-3a-psu-on-a-pi0/19600/7 "2022-05-28T22:54:19Z")
I’ve gone the other way when need be. 2.5A Micro USB power supply with a USB C adapter to a Pi 4B. I was able to get a Pi 4B but the Pi 4 power supplies were out of stock. If I had waited for the power supplies to be in stock the Pi 4’s wouldn’t have been. ;) Even working hard a Pi 4 isn’t going to reach the 3A or 2.5A limit. Not by itself anyway. The 3A limit is there for the power hungry peripherals like motors, servo’s, etc.