Users Guide

Environmental and shipping specications 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 varies, depending on the environmental
extremes to which the cartridge was exposed. If the data cartridge was exposed to temperatures outside
the specied ranges, stabilize the cartridge at room temperature for the same length of time it was
exposed to extreme temperatures or 24 hours, whichever is less.
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 51 on page 166 gives the environment for operating, storing, and shipping LTO Ultrium Tape
Cartridges.
Table 51. Environment for storage and shipping the LTO tape cartridges
Environmental Specications
Environmental Factor Allowable Storage Recommended Storage Shipping
Temperature
16 to 32°C
(61 to 90°F)
16 to 25°C
(61 to 77°F)
-23 to 49°C
(-9 to 120°F)
Relative humidity
(noncondensing)
20 to 80% 20 to 50% 5 to 80%
Maximum wet bulb
temperature
26°C
(79°F)
26°C
(79°F)
26°C
(79°F)
Magnetic eld
Stray magnetic eld at any point on tape not to exceed 50 oersteds (4000 ampere/
meter).
166 Dell EMC ML3 Tape Library: User's Guide