degausser

Kills magnetic fields

A degausser is a device that eliminates magnetic fields, used to erase data from magnetic storage media like hard drives and tapes, or to demagnetize equipment.

The term comes from the gauss, a unit of magnetic field strength.

Before digital displays, degaussers removed color distortion from CRT monitors: The old TV needed degaussing after we moved it.

magnetic-media

bulk eraser

Device erasing magnetic media

VHS tapeMagnetic film cartridge
cassette tapeMagnetic recording medium
audio tapeMagnetic sound recording medium

video tape · floppy disk · reel-to-reel · head cleaning · backup tapes

electronics

magnetic field

Force zone around magnets

inductionFormal admission process
hysteresisHistory-dependent system response
saturationState of complete permeation

eddy currents · shielding · alternating current · electromagnetic pulse · neutralization

CRT

cathode ray tube

Electron-beam display device

electron gunCharged particle beam source
moiré patternVisual waves from overlapping grids
screen flickerRapid visual pulsing on monitors

analog display · purity ring

data-destruction

compliance

Adhering to requirements

classified informationSensitive, access-restricted material
audit trailChronological record of transactions
end-of-lifeNearing death phase

e-waste · information security

degausser

bulk eraser

magnetic field

cathode ray tube

compliance

degausser

Opposites

Categories

Family