Proper Acclimation And Environmental Conditions; Tape Cartridges In A Turtlecase - IBM TS4300 3555 User Manual

Figure 90. Tape cartridges in a Turtlecase
• Never ship a cartridge in a commercial shipping envelope. Always place it in a box or package.
• If you ship the cartridge in a cardboard box or a box of a sturdy material, ensure that you
– Place the cartridge in polyethylene plastic wrap or bags to protect it from dust, moisture, and other
contaminants.
– Pack the cartridge snugly; do not allow it to move around.
– Double-box the cartridge (place it inside a box, then place that box inside the shipping box) and add
padding between the two boxes (see Figure 91 on page 164).
Figure 91. Double-boxing tape cartridges for shipping

Proper acclimation and environmental conditions

To ensure the longest possible life for your data cartridges, follow these guidelines.
• 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 specified 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.
164 IBM TS4300 Tape Library Machine Type 3555: User's Guide