Roberta Aguirre
Many people travel with their laptops and external hard drives, and it is a common concern whether airport scanners can damage or erase data from hard drives. While most sources agree that X-ray scanners at airports do not affect hard drives, there are a few reports of laptops and hard drives malfunctioning or getting wiped clean after passing through airport security. It is recommended to turn off your laptop and other devices before passing them through the X-ray scanners to avoid any potential issues. Additionally, it is important to consider the pressure changes during the flight, which may affect certain types of hard drives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are external hard drives affected by X-rays? | X-rays do not affect hard drives any more than ordinary visible light does. |
| Is it safe to pass external hard drives through airport X-ray scanners? | It is generally considered safe to pass external hard drives through airport X-ray scanners. However, there are rare instances of hard drives being wiped clean or damaged after passing through airport security. |
| Are there other factors to consider when transporting external hard drives during air travel? | Altitude is a factor for spinning drives, but the altitude limits are well above standard cabin pressure. It is recommended to turn off the hard drive during air travel as running drives do not respond well to being knocked around. |
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What You'll Learn
X-rays are safe for hard drives
X-rays are generally safe for hard drives. While X-rays are very high-frequency electromagnetic waves, they do not have magnetic properties and will not affect the data on your hard drive. In fact, X-rays will simply pass through your hard drive without causing any harm. Laptops and hard drives have been going through X-ray machines without issues for decades.
However, it is important to note that while X-rays are safe for hard drives, the electric motors used for the conveyor belt at the airport can generate strong magnetic fields that can potentially erase or corrupt magnetic media. Additionally, if you have sensitive undeveloped film in your hard drive, it is recommended to ask for a hand inspection as X-rays can damage it.
To be extra cautious, some people choose to place their hard drives in a lead-lined bag, which is typically sold to protect film. This provides an additional layer of protection against any potential risks, although it may not be necessary.
Furthermore, while X-rays are safe, other factors during air travel can potentially affect your hard drive. For example, if your laptop is in sleep mode, it is theoretically possible for volatile memory corruption to occur. Additionally, physical factors such as pressure, temperature, shock, and vibration during the flight can impact your hard drive, although these factors would also affect the aircraft itself.
In summary, X-rays themselves are not a concern for hard drives, but other factors in the airport and during air travel may require consideration to ensure the safety of your data.
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Metal detectors may damage hard drives
It is generally considered safe to take external hard drives through airport scanners. X-ray machines used in airports are safe for all electronics, and modern hard drives are designed to withstand a wide range of temperatures, shocks, vibrations, and humidity levels.
However, there are differing opinions on whether metal detectors may damage hard drives. Some sources suggest that metal detectors may potentially affect hard drives, recommending that travellers avoid sending their hard drives through metal detectors if possible.
One theory suggests that the magnetic strength of metal detectors could potentially interfere with the hard drive's magnetic field, causing data loss or corruption. However, others argue that the magnetic strength of metal detectors is not sufficient to cause any damage to hard drives. Additionally, memory cards are not affected by magnetic fields.
While there may be a slight possibility of data corruption, it is important to note that there have been no widespread reports of hard drives being damaged by airport metal detectors. Most travellers have safely taken their laptops and external hard drives through airport security without encountering any issues.
To be cautious, some travellers prefer to remove their laptops and hard drives from their luggage before passing them through the metal detector. This practice also helps airport security personnel inspect the devices more easily if needed. Ultimately, the decision to send a hard drive through a metal detector or not lies with the traveller, weighing the potential risks against the convenience of a quicker security check.
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Hard drives are sensitive to pressure
In addition to pressure, hard drives are also sensitive to shock and vibration. A sudden jolt or impact can damage a hard drive, and this is more likely to occur if the drive is poorly fastened or loose in its mount. Laptop drives are generally more vibration-resistant than desktop drives as they are designed to be used in moving vehicles such as planes and cars.
Hard drives are also sensitive to torque, with reassembly requiring precise torque settings to avoid damage. Dust, hair, and other foreign objects can also cause issues if they get inside the drive, as the HDD heads fly only a few nanometers above the disk.
While hard drives are sensitive to pressure, shock, vibration, and torque, they are not affected by airport X-ray scanners. Laptops and other electronic devices containing hard drives have been going through X-ray machines for decades without any issues. Therefore, you can safely transport your external hard drives through airport security scanners without worrying about damage.
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Hard drives are sensitive to vibration
External hard drives can go through airport scanners. X-rays used at airport security will not harm a hard drive. Laptops have been going through X-ray machines for decades without incident, so external hard drives should also be safe.
The real limit with hard drives is peak G force, or "shock", which refers to a sudden jolt. It only takes one event in excess of the drive's G limit to damage it. To prevent this, hard drives should be mounted securely and not subjected to excessive movement.
When the pressure goes below about 68kPa, small-platter HDDs often fail, but this is well below the pressure of aircraft cabins, which are typically pressurized to less than 3000m. Therefore, external hard drives should be able to withstand the pressure changes during air travel without sustaining damage.
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Hard drives are sensitive to temperature
At temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius, hard drives experience higher failure rates. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can reduce the lifetime of hard drives and increase the risk of failure. This is because the mechanical components of hard drives are sensitive to temperature, and the lubricant used in the bearings can become too runny and leak out, leading to increased wear and tear. Therefore, it is recommended that hard drives are not operated at high temperatures for extended periods.
On the other hand, very low temperatures can also impact hard drive performance. While consumer freezers are not cold enough to cause damage, some extreme climates can reach temperatures low enough to affect hard drives. Proper storage and the use of a heat source can help mitigate these effects.
To ensure optimal performance and longevity, it is recommended to maintain hard drives at ideal operating temperatures between 35 and 45 degrees Celsius. Additionally, monitoring hard drive temperatures is essential to prevent overheating and potential failure.
When travelling with hard drives, it is important to consider the impact of altitude on temperature and pressure. While standard cabin pressure in aircraft is typically within safe limits for hard drives, it is recommended to turn off running drives during flights to avoid potential damage from knocks or vibrations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, external hard drives can go through airport scanners. X-rays do not affect hard drives any more than ordinary visible light does. However, it is recommended to turn off your device before passing it through the scanner.
Laptops have been going through X-ray machines for decades without incident. However, there are a few reports of laptops being "fried" after going through airport security. It is recommended to turn off your laptop before passing it through the scanner.
There are no known issues with passing electronic devices through airport X-ray scanners.
Airport X-ray scanners will not damage your data. However, there are a few reports of hard drives being wiped clean after going through airport security. This may be due to the strong magnetic pulse sent out by metal detectors or wands, which can erase hard drives.
If you have sensitive equipment, you can request a hand inspection.
