Max storage temperature hard drives - Storage

unix · #1 10-08-2007, 10:03 AM

I am sure this has already been covered, but initial google search found
nothing.

I need to store some 8-100 GB hard drives in a storage locker in
Arizona, where temps could get to 140 F., but not directly in the sun.

How high can the ambient temp. get without risking data loss?

unix · #2 10-08-2007, 10:03 AM

Previously dumbo wrote:
> I am sure this has already been covered, but initial google search found
> nothing.

> I need to store some 8-100 GB hard drives in a storage locker in
> Arizona, where temps could get to 140 F., but not directly in the sun.

> How high can the ambient temp. get without risking data loss?

Typically as high as the maximum operating temperature. That would
be around 50C for most modern drives (122F). Now while drives should
survive 60C (140F), from 70C (158F) or so onwards, you are entering
the kill-zone. If you are sure, temperatures will never (!)
exceed 60C, you should be fine. But if peak temperature is
significantly higher, the disks may die. For the exact
figures, look into the individual datasheets/maunals of the
disks. There are some notebook HDDs on the market that can
withstand 80C (176F), but they are expensive and hard to find.

Arno

unix · #3 10-08-2007, 10:03 AM

dumbo wrote:

> I am sure this has already been covered, but initial google search found nothing.

> I need to store some 8-100 GB hard drives in a storage locker in
> Arizona, where temps could get to 140 F., but not directly in the sun.

> How high can the ambient temp. get without risking data loss?

Thats fine. Well within what the drive manufacturers say is acceptable.

unix · #4 10-08-2007, 10:03 AM

Arno Wagner wrote
> dumbo wrote

>> I am sure this has already been covered, but initial google search found nothing.

You cant have looked very hard, its in most hard drive manuals.

>> I need to store some 8-100 GB hard drives in a storage locker in
>> Arizona, where temps could get to 140 F., but not directly in the sun.

>> How high can the ambient temp. get without risking data loss?

> Typically as high as the maximum operating temperature.

Wrong, its normally considerably higher.

> That would be around 50C for most modern drives (122F).

Wrong again, try 65C

> Now while drives should survive 60C (140F), from 70C
> (158F) or so onwards, you are entering the kill-zone.

No you arent with the storage temp.

> If you are sure, temperatures will never (!) exceed 60C, you should be
> fine. But if peak temperature is significantly higher, the disks may die.

Mindlessly silly, and the drive wont reach the peak in storage anyway.

> For the exact figures, look into the individual datasheets/maunals of the disks.

You should do that yourself.

> There are some notebook HDDs on the market that can
> withstand 80C (176F), but they are expensive and hard to find.

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