FAQs
Answers and Degaussing Explained
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What is a degausser (bulk eraser)?
A machine that erases data from hard drives and magnetic media by disrupting their magnetic alignment, ensuring secure data destruction.
Why can'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.
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.
Why shouldn't I just re-format my media on my computer?
Formatting can take a long time and not guarantee erasure of all the data stored. A degausser will completely clear your media of all data in seconds.
What makes a degausser erasure so good?
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 you are returning it to its original condition with all the particles orientated at random.
What are the benefits of using a degausser?
- Secure destruction of information on a variety of magnetic media
- Removal of sensitive information
- Reduces business risk as disposing of degaussed media ensures information is erased
- Hard drives and tapes can be safely disposed of
Are degaussers safe?
“Despite extensive research, to date there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to low level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human health.” – World Health Organization (WHO).
Currently there are no widely published statutory regulations limiting the magnitude of magnetic fields in the work place. However, all Verity Systems degaussers are designed to fall within the recommended guidelines issued by the NRPB within a normal workplace environment.
For more information, visit our Health & Safety page.
What sort of erasure levels can I expect to get?
Using the tape industry standard test:
- 90dB on magnetic media up to 750 Oe
- 75dB on magnetic media up to 1500 Oe
What type of degausser do I want?
The type of degausser needed is very much dependent on three main factors:
- The type of magnetic media being used, such as audio tape, data tapes or hard drives.
- The amount of media to be erased in a given period.
- 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 two types.
- Oxide based media with an oersted value up to 750 Oersted (Oe).
- Metal based media with an oersted value up to 1500 Oersted (Oe).
Here we have four basic types:
- Manual or automatic with limited duty cycle for media up to 750 Oe.
- Automatic with continuous duty cycle for media up to 750 Oe.
- Manual or automatic with limited duty cycle for media up to 1500 Oe.
- Automatic with continuous duty cycle for media up to 1500 Oe.