FAQs

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.  

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. 

Formatting can take many minutes; making the computer in operative and putting unnecessary wear on an expensive piece of equipment. When re-formatting media it is possible for tracks to be missed, this could cause read and re-write errors. A degausser will completely clear your media of all data in seconds. 

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. 

1. For the radio and television broadcast industry expensive media can be re-used many times, 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 

“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 VS Security Products 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.

  Using tape industry standard test:

 -90dB on magnetic media up to 750 Oe

 -75dB on magnetic media up to 1500 Oe 

The type of degausser needed is very much dependent on three main factors: 

1. The type of magnetic media being used, such as audio tape, data tapes or hard drive.
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 two 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)

Here we have four basic types:

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.