IBM System Storage TS2900, Setup, Operator, And Service Manual

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5-18
TS2900 Tape Autoloader Setup, Operator, and Service Guide
Environmental and Shipping Specifications for Tape Cartridges
Before you use a tape cartridge, acclimate it to the operating environment for 24 hours
or the time necessary to prevent condensation in the drive (the time will vary,
depending on the environmental extremes to which the cartridge was exposed).
The best storage container for the cartridges (until they are opened) is the original
shipping container. The plastic wrapping prevents dirt from accumulating on the
cartridges and partially protects them from humidity changes.
When you ship a cartridge, place it in its jewel case or in a sealed, moisture-proof bag
to protect it from moisture, contaminants, and physical damage. Ship the cartridge in
a shipping container that has enough packing material to cushion the cartridge and
prevent it from moving within the container.
Table 5-6 gives the environment for operating, storing, and shipping LTO Ultrium
Tape Cartridges.
Disposing of Tape Cartridges
Under the current rules of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
regulation 40CFR261, the LTO Ultrium Tape Cartridge is classified as non-hazardous
waste. As such, it may be disposed of in the same way as normal office trash. These
regulations are amended from time to time, and you should review them at the time
of disposal.
If your local, state, country (non-U.S.A.), or regional regulations are more restrictive
than EPA 40CFR261, you must review them before you dispose of a cartridge. Contact
your account representative for information about the materials that are in the
cartridge.
If a tape cartridge must be disposed of in a secure manner, you can erase the data on
the cartridge by using a high-energy ac degausser (use a minimum of 4000 oersted
peak field over the entire space that the cartridge occupies). The tape should make
two passes through the field at 90 degree orientation change for each pass to achieve
complete erasure. Some commercial degaussers have two magnetic field regions
Table 5-6. Environment for operating, storing, and shipping the LTO Ultrium Tape Cartridge
Environmental
Factor
Environmental Specifications
Operating
Operational
Storage1
Archival
Storage2
Shipping
Temperature
10 to 45ºC
(50 to 113ºF)
16 to 32ºC
(61 to 90ºF)
16 to 25ºC
(61 to 77ºF)
-23 to 49ºC
(-9 to 120ºF)
Relative humidity
(non-condensing)
10 to 80% 20 to 80% 20 to 50% 5 to 80%
Maximum wet bulb
temperature
26ºC (79ºF) 26ºC (79ºF) 26ºC (79ºF) 26ºC (79ºF)
Note:
1. The short term or operational storage environment is for storage durations of up to six
months.
2. The long term or archival storage environment is for durations of six months up to ten
years.