Chapter 2 Installing Your Tape Drive
Safety, Handling, and ESD Protection
SDLT 600A Product Manual
7
Electrostatic Discharge
Protection
2
Several electrical components of the SDLT 600A tape drive are sensitive
to static electricity and electrostatic discharge (ESD). Even a static
buildup or discharge that is too slight to feel can be sufficient to destroy
or degrade a component’s operation.
To minimize the possibility of ESD-related damage to the system, the
drive’s manufacturer strongly recommends using both a workstation
anti-static mat and an ESD wrist strap. When correctly installed and
properly used, these devices reduce the buildup of static electricity that
might harm the system.
Observe the following precautions to avoid ESD-related problems:
• Leave the tape drive in its anti-static bag until you are ready to install
it in the system.
• Always use a properly fitted and grounded wrist strap or other
suitable ESD protection when handling the tape drive and observe
proper ESD grounding techniques.
• Hold the tape drive only by its sides.
• Place the tape drive on a properly grounded anti-static work surface
pad when it is out of its protective anti-static bag.
• Do not use the bag as a substitute for the work surface anti-static pad.
The outside surface of the bag may not have the same anti-static
properties as the inside surface. It could actually increase the
possibility of ESD problems.
• Do not remove covers to use any test equipment to check components
on the PCBAs. There are no user-serviceable components on the tape
drive.
