General Usage

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and Other Precautions

Tape drives contain very sensitive electrical components. It is important to follow the proper procedures to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD), which could result in damage to the product. Failure to take proper precautions could lead to intermittent failures or premature hard failures.

Use the following general precautions when handling tape drives:

■Use a properly installed anti-static mat on your work surface.

■Use properly fitted wrist-grounding straps.

■Be careful not to touch any PC board components.

■If installing the tape drive, always leave it in its anti-static bag until you are ready to install it.

■Place the tape drive on a properly grounded anti-static work surface when it is out of its protective anti-static bag.

■Do not use the bag as a substitute for the work surface anti-static mat. The outside of the bag may not have the same anti-static properties as the inside.

■When removing or replacing the tape drive, never rest it on its front bezel (the side containing the drive door where tapes are inserted).

■Do not place hands or foreign objects inside the tape drive’s door or drive bay, or touch internal components. Skin oils will damage the recording heads.

144 General Usage

Appendix A