Electrostatic discharge protection – Quantum Audio Tape Drives A-Series User Manual

Page 27

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Chapter 2 Getting Started

Safety, Handling, and ESD Protection

Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User’s Guide

11

• Do not expose the tape drive to moisture.
• Do not place foreign objects inside the tape drive’s receiver area.

Electrostatic Discharge
Protection

2

Several electrical components of the A-Series 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.

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