Degaussers: Frequently Asked Questions

Our Degaussers' Frequently Asked Questions page is intended to help you find fast and easy answers to the most frequently asked questions about our line of degaussers.

If you cannot find your question listed, then please contact us today at (626)799-6545 or at help@datadev.com and we will be pleased to assist you.

What is a degausser (bulk eraser)?
A degausser is a fast, efficient way to remove all audio, video and data signals from magnetic storage media such as tapes or hard drives . It is a device that produces a magnetic charge that wipes magnetic data from storage media.

How does a degausser work?
A degausser produces a magnetic charge – either through the use of permanent magnets or a degaussing coil - that is strong enough to wipe the magnetic memory that contains the recorded data.

Why shouldn’t I just re-record over the media?
Magnetic media is made of oxide or metal particles that are orientated into a series of lines, which make up the signals. When you re-record only the particles that make up the new signals are re-arranged. This leaves some particles in the original orientation, which causes spurious signals.This can cause bad sound and picture quality on broadcast tapes and read and re-write errors on data tapes. In addition, there are problem areas on the tape that are skipped in the rerecording process. These must be removed.

Why can't I run the media through my recorder using the erase button?
Erasing on a recorder ties up an expensive piece of equipment for maybe hours and puts unnecessary wear on the heads and drive mechanism. A degausser will give a deeper, more even erasure in seconds. The recorder skips portions of the media with problems, and these also require erasure.

What makes a degausser erasure so thorough?
In the manufacture of magnetic media one of the last production processes is for all magnetic media to be degaussed. This ensures that all the particles are orientated completely at random leaving the media free of any spurious signals. By degaussing magnetic media before re-using you are returning it to its original condition with all the particles orientated at random.

What are the benefits?
1: For the radio and television broadcast industry expensive media can be re-used many times with greater clarity, making cost effective savings.
2: For the computer industry, storage media can be used many times without read or re-write errors.
3: For security old storage media can be thrown away completely free of any sensitive information.
4: Magnetic media duplicators can re-cycle over runs and returns.
5: Hard drives can be discarded with no security risk.

What sort of erasure levels can I expect to get?
Using tape industry standard test:
-90dB on magnetic media up to 750 Oe
-75dB on magnetic media up to 2000 Oe
-90dB for any NSA-approved units

What type of degausser do I want?
The type of degausser needed is very much dependent on three main factors:

1. The type of magnetic media being used.
2. The amount of media to be erased in a given period.
3. Are they a single- or multi-type media user?

Magnetic media comes in many different energy values and types. But as far as degaussers are concerned we can narrow this down to three types:

1. Oxide based media with an Oersted value up to 750 Oersted (Oe)
2. Metal based media with an Oersted value up to 1500 Oersted (Oe)
3. Advanced media with an Oersted rating of over 1500 Oersted (Oe)

Using this as a guide, we can then find the right machine to suit your needs, whether manual (low tape volume) or automatic (high tape volume). There are five basic types of degaussers:

1. Manual or automatic with limited duty cycle for media up to 750 Oe.
2. Automatic with continuous duty cycle for media up to 750 Oe.
3. Manual or automatic with limited duty cycle for media up to 1500 Oe.
4. Automatic with continuous duty cycle for media up to 1500 Oe.
5. Manual or automatic with continuous duty cycle for media over 1500 Oe

How does the oersted rating of a tape correspond to the gauss strength needed to erase that tape?
Typically, a degausser needs to have a gauss rating of at least twice the oersted of the media to be erased in order to completely remove the data.

What exactly does small office, low volume, mid volume and high volume mean in terms of selecting a machine?
Low volume, mid volume and high volume refer specifically to the amount of tape or drives that need to be erased and the throughput, or how many units that machine can erase per hour. This is dictated both by the duty cycle, or how long the unit can operate before overheating, and whether the unit is manual or belt-driven. A low-volume unit typically has a lower throughput than a belt-driven or high-volume unit, particularly as drives may take up to 4 passes to erase on a manual unit but may need only one pass on a belt-driven unit.

Please explain about the duty cycles of your machines.
Degaussers typically overheat with use because of the magnetic charge generated. Duty cycles vary greatly depending on the machine; please check each product page for specific unit specifications. Continuous duty degaussers run continuously without overheating.

Do hard drives heat up in the degaussing process?
Yes, hard drives heat up during the degaussing process, which can make them uncomfortable for an operator to hold. For manual units, we offer heat-resistant gloves.

Do I need a special carrier to erase hard drives?
As the drive needs to be turned in order to be erased completely, for operator comfort we offer the Turn-A-Drive Carrier, which automatically turns the drive on the machine. Simply place the hard drive to be erased in the carrier, and rotated it to ensure complete erasure.

Can I reuse a hard drive after I degauss it?
No, hard drives cannot be reused after they are erased. This is because the degaussing process erases the servo tracks, thus rendering the drive inoperable. Degaussing hard drives is solely for disposal of those drives for security purposes.

Can I reuse LTO tape after I degauss it?
No, you cannot reuse LTO tape after you erase it. The degaussing process erases the factory pre-recorded servo tracks, thus rendering the tape unusable.

Is there any method to erase LTO Ultrium data cartridges so they can be reused?
Yes. The LTO Magnetic Tape Cartridge Certifier is designed with an erase option to erase the complete recording between the servo tracks. This means you can completely erase the data from the tape and safely reuse the data cartridges. When the tape is cleaned, certified and erased, it can be used with the reliability of new tape. For complete product specifications on our LTO Magnetic Tape Cartridge Certifier, click here.

Can I reuse DLT tape after I degauss it?
Yes, you can reuse DLT tape after you erase it.

What other media cannot be reused after I degauss it?

• ADR30, ADR50, ADR120
• AIT (1, 2, 3, 4, Super)
• SLR24, SLR32, TR-4, ADR30, ADR50
• TR-5, SLR40, SLR50, SLR60, SLR100, SLR140
• TR-7 (Travan 40GB)
• Magstar MP: 3570-B, 3570-C, 3570-C/XL
• Magstar: 3590, 3590-E
• STK-9840, STK-T9940
• LTO-Ultrium1, LTO-Ultrium2, LTO-Ultrium3
• HARD DRIVES
• Zip 100 MB Disc, Zip 250 MB Disc

Do you sell to resellers?
We encourage resellers to contact us. Please call us and we will be happy to work with you. We offer very strong reseller support and will assist you in crafting a successful sales proposal. We want you to get the order.

Do you work with distributors in other countries?
Yes, we do work with international distributors. If you are interested in selling our equipment in your country, we encourage you to contact us. We will provide you with the information and support you need to get the sale.

If I’m not in the United States, do you sell direct or do you have distributors?
We do have distributors in many countries – in Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Oceania, and Continental Europe. If you are contacting us from a region in which we have a distributor, we will put you in contact with our local agent. Alternatively, we do sell direct and will be happy to provide you with a quote based on your location.

What is the warranty on your machines?
Each machine comes with a different standard back-to-base warranty from 90 days to one year. Each unit’s specific warranty can be found on the product specification page.

How do you handle warranties if a new machine breaks down within the first year?
With stocked items, we generally swap out your unit with another unit. If you have ordered a new machine that is defective and under warranty, we will ship you a new machine and you will return the defective unit to us. If you have ordered a refurbished unit that is defective, we will ship you another refurbished unit and you will return the defective unit to us. With non-stocked items, you ship it to our base at your cost and we will return it to you at our cost when the unit has been repaired.

What kind of warranty comes with a remanufactured unit?
We offer a new-machine one year warranty on most of our remanufactured units. Each unit’s specific warranty can be found on the product specification page.

Do you offer extended warranties?
We do offer extended warranty options. These options include a three-year depot repair warranty and a three-year on-site service warranty.

When will my order ship?
We carry most of our items in stock and will ship the same day we receive your order. On non-stocked items, we will quote lead time when we send you a price quotation, generally from 2 to 12 weeks. The item page will indicate whether each item is routinely stocked or not stocked.

What is the return policy on your degaussers?
For all of our stocked units, should you decide you don’t want the machine after you have used it, we charge a 25% restocking fee. For non-stocked or special-order items, no return is allowed. Please inquire when you order as to whether your unit is returnable.

What if we purchase a machine and later need to upgrade?
Should you need to upgrade to a more powerful unit down the line, we will take back your old unit and apply 100% of the purchase price to the new unit.

What if we receive a defective unit?
With stocked items, we generally swap out your unit with another unit. If you have ordered a new machine that is defective and under warranty, we will ship you a new machine and you will return the defective unit to us. If you have ordered a refurbished unit that is defective, we will ship you another refurbished unit and you will return the defective unit to us. With non-stocked items, you ship it to our base at your cost and we will return it to you at our cost when the unit has been repaired.

How can we order a rental unit?
Orders for rental units are accepted on credit card as assurance that the end-user will return the unit. The rental term begins once the user receives the machine and ends the day the machine is shipped back to us.

With my store order, why didn’t I get an invoice with shipping automatically added to the order?
Unfortunately, with our online store, we cannot accept one standard automatic shipping fee because of the amount and frequency with which we sell equipment overseas and to the non-contiguous United States. If you are located within the contiguous United States, we will automatically add the shipping price quoted on the product specification page to your order and ship your item via UPS GROUND, unless you contact us specifying that you need overnight or other shipping.

For international orders and orders within the non-contiguous United States, please contact us for a quote. With these orders, we will provide a quote and get your authorization before charging your credit card or receiving your wire transfer.

For online orders, do you charge my credit card if the unit does not ship that day?
No, we usually do not charge your credit card until the day your unit will ship. Typically we email you an invoice the day your order is processed.

If I place an order online, how do I request a special shipping option?
The best way to handle international, overnight, 2 nd day or 3 rd day shipping requests, is to email us before placing your order online and we will provide a quote that you can approve before we charge your credit card. Alternatively, there is a field for notes within the online order process, and in that field you may authorize us to charge you for non-standard shipping costs and specify how you would like the unit shipped.

Do you buy back old equipment?
Yes, we purchase pre-owned equipment. As we have a broad rental line and sell remanufactured units, we are happy to acquire used equipment.

Is degaussing safe?
Yes, it is safe to use a degausser. Persons who have a pacemaker should not be in the vicinity of a degausser. Additionally, do not wear your quartz watch while degaussing or it will be erased. For more information, please read our Health and Safety Guidelines.

If we have not addressed your question, we will be happy to assist you if you call (626)799-6545 or send an email to help@datadev.com.