Environmental Considerations for 8 mm Data Cartridges
This section describes operating and storage conditions including temperature, relative
humidity, and maximum wet bulb data.
Attention: The manufacturer specifies a set of temperature and humidity ranges in
which the 8 mm data cartridge can operate with ease. Only regular cleaning
procedures are required when operating the cartridge within this range. The
risk of possible data loss is increased if 8 mm tape cartridges are operated,
stored, or shipped outside the temperature or humidity ranges shown in the
following table.
Condition Operating Ranges Storage Shipping
Temperature 60°F-90°F (16°C-32°C) 41°F-90°F(5°C-32°C) -40°F-126°F
(-40°C-52°C)
Relative Humidity
(non-condensing) 20%-80% 20%-80% 20%-80%
Maximum Wet Bulb 73°F(23°C) 79°F (26°C) 79°F(26°C)
Always let a cartridge acclimate to the operating environment before you use it.
Acclimation is necessary for any data cartridge that has been exposed to a different
humidity environment or to a temperature change of 11°C or 20°F or more. Place the
cartridge, with its container, in the operating environment for as long as it has been
away from the operating environment or for 24 hours, whichever is less.
Operating the 8mm Tape Drive in Harsh Environments
The 8mm TapeDrive is ideally suited to streaming operations rather than tape
movement operations involving multiple stops and starts as well as random searches.
You should use streaming movement whenever possible.
Do not use for archiving any tape that was previously used outside the ranges specified
in “Environmental Considerations for 8 mm Data Cartridges” for an extended period of
time. Exposure to the new environment deteriorates the magnetic and physical strength
of the tape. Do not store important data on a tape that was used outside the specified
ranges. For reliable archiving, transfer the data to a new tape.
Erasing 8 mm Data Cartridge
Most bulk eraser devices cannot erase 8 mm data cartridges. Toproperly erase an 8
mm data cartridge with a bulk eraser device, the erasure rating must be at least 1500
oersted.
22 44P Series Model 170 User’s Guide