anti Static foam packing for external HDD

[toitenhow]

I am looking into how to best protect my external HDD in storage as an off site backup, but am stumped when it comes to choosing an appropriate bag.

I plan to use a Freecom external HDD: the "mHDD" (http://www.freecom.com/mhddslim) and place it into a hard case from Peli, called the "iM2050" (https://peliproducts.co.uk/products/cases/im2050-storm-case-1349.html). Environmental specifications for the HDD: Operating temperature: 10°C / 35°C and storage temperature: -20°C / 70°C.

To prepare for the worst I thought it best to place the HDD into a "Faraday bag", which I understand is known as a Static Shielding bag, as it creates the conditions of a Faraday Cage internally. However, I read that Faraday bags should be opaque?

As of now I am unsure of whether a Moisture bag, or Conductive bag could be a better candidate as the Moisture option will defend its contents against electromagnetic and RF interference, whilst also taking more of an appearance of an opaque Faraday bag. Yet I read on your site that Conductive bags are popular for packaging electrostatic sensitive devices, they too are completely opaque and the electrical properties of black bags do not vary with humidity (I'm not sure how that compared to your other offerings), but it only offers *some* electrostatic protection.

I am therefore torn between the Static Shielding and Moisture Barrier bags, but I also have another consideration: the interior of the hard case has a foam lining, this too can come in a variety of familiar static managing variants:

1. Anti-Static Foam
2. Static Dissipative Foam
3. Conductive Foam

ref: http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/103797/anti-static-vs-conductive-vs-dissipative-foam

As one of the replies mentioned that Conductive foam disallows for one pin to have more electrical advantage than another when it is not used. To that end perhaps if I fitted a silicone plug to the HDD's interface it would seal off the internal connections, but I think this advice was based on the premise that no bag was used, only foam?

While I understand that if the HDD is encased inside a "Faraday bag" that literally any foam could be used, I am prepared to go with what would be for the best.


Finally, reading up on Desiccant options I think that the less popular Molecular Sieve bags are likely the best option for electronic goods, as well as having an indicator built into them. The hard case itself is o-ring sealed, dust & water (IP67) proof and "corrosive resistant" (whatever that means, they're yet to get back to me on that one) and so, especially inside a sealed bag, would be well insulated form the elements.

Those elements would not be a controlled environment however, but inside a warehouse storage depot, only in regular transit to retrieve for updating, which would be around once per month.

Given these parameters I would dearly like your professional advice on how I should proceed please.

 

[hang-the-9]

Get an anti-static bag, put the dive in that, put the drive in the case, put a desiccant gel bag in the case. Store it in a temperature controlled storage place. You are way over-thinking the whole electrical conductivity thing here. Since you will be taking out the drive every month, you can replace that every few months, they are cheap, and you can get them free from just about anything you buy, shoes, electronics, etc...

 

[toitenhow]

I think you're right. I went over my situation with an industry supplier and they suggested an anti-static faraday (inner) lined bag would suffice as the electrical build up from the foam won't transfer to the bag. As the case is water tight I won't have to worry about moisture getting in, but will leave an indicator card in anyway. The anti-static bags can be sold as resealable, so that's less hassle.

I don't like the term "over thinking", thinking of all the problems that can occur is all a part of redundancy backup of anything. Plus, you learn a lot more along the way.

Thanks!