Technical data

22 U26140-J-Z146-3-76
Handling 4 mm magnetic tape cartridges 4 mm MTC drives
If the MTC drive is working in start/stop mode, i.e. if the tape is regularly stopped
and the read/write head continues to revolve, the life of the cartridges is reduced
dramatically.
Ambient conditions also have a considerable effect on the life of a magnetic
tape cartridge. You should therefore take special note of the following section
on the care of magnetic tape cartridges.
3.5.2 Care of 4 mm magnetic tape cartridges
The correct way to care for magnetic tape cartridges is as follows:
● Always store magnetic tape cartridges in their transport case.
● Before use, store magnetic tape cartridges in their operating environment for
at least 24 hours. If magnetic tape cartridges have been exposed to high
humidity or high temperatures, they must be stored in the operating
environment for at least three or four days. Cartridges which have not been
acclimatized are difficult to read and can attack the read/write head.
You should never treat a magnetic tape cartridge as follows:
● Do not expose cartridges to direct sunlight or heat. The specified storage
temperature for 4 mm magnetic tape cartridges is between +5 °C and
+32 °C. The ideal storage temperature, however is 20 °C
± 5 °C with a
relative humidity between 30 % and 60 %.
● Do not allow magnetic tape cartridges to come into contact with magnetic
objects.
● Do not use cleaning agents, solvents or thinners on magnetic tape
cartridges.
● You should only leave a 4 mm cartridge in the MTC drive for as long as is
necessary. Since the tape in the MTC drive remains wound around the
read/write head, even small quantities of dust can cause damage to the MTC
drive.