Can a transformer damage computer components(ie hdd) because of magnetic field?

[poohbear]

Hey all, i'm living overseas and i have to use a transformer for my speakers, i was wondering if i have to keep it away form my computer case to avoid any damage or interference? Is it perfectly fine to leave the transformer next to my case? I keep my subwoofer away as i realize it does emit a magnetic field that mess with the hdd, but do transformers do any such thing?

Thanks in advance!

 

[fffblackmage]

A transformer is a magnet with wires wrapped around it. So, yes, it does emit a magnetic field. I imagine the case will block out most EMI anyways though. HDDs are also shielded. My subwoofer is only 6 inches away from my case and nothing has blown up so far.

 

[KingFatty]

I think any magnetic field would be very weak, especially as you move away from the source. Like how a super-strong fridge magnet will stick if you put it right up to the fridge, but have no attraction if you move it just a bit away.

 

[Cerb]

Power frequencies are practically DC, as far as your computer's components go. Hearing hum because of it would likely be the worst problem you might encounter.

 

[ericloewe]

Short answer: No.

Long answer: No magnetic field you might have at home (unless you have an MRI scanner at home or some kind of industrial magnet) will damage anything in your computer. Hell, it seems that HDDs even survive 1+ Tesla magnetic fields, and there's no way your tiny transformer will get anywhere near that.

 

[poohbear]

ok thanks for clarifying fellas. I have it next to my case, so guess it's safe now.

Computer cases have EMI shielding? never knew that.

 

[tweakboy]

That is not good. Magnets and hard drives don't go well together it erases data from HD.

If you wanna secure erase, just put a magnet on top of the hard drive while its on.

I think you need a new pair of speakers. Is 2.1 good for you ?

Grab one of the best there is for pc speakers at great price.

Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 Pro Media www.klipsch.com and buy from www.amazon.com You can probably find it for 120 bucks maybe a bit more. They are shielded so no interference. My dad uses Klipsch 4.1 Pro Media and its been going strong since 2001. The woofer is 8 inches. You can put the speaker right next to a external hard drive nothing happens. They are quality and dont interfere with monitor or computer. gl

 

[Cerb]

If you wanna secure erase, just put a magnet on top of the hard drive while its on.

Directly on, and inches away, are two very different scenarios. Magnetic fields lose strength with the square root of the distance.

Computer cases have EMI shielding? never knew that.

Not exactly a lot, but a grounded steel case will shield some EMI, along with all that RFI it is specified against.

 

[bryanl]

Transformers are designed to keep the magnetism confined to the core, rather than let it out, and it's very, very difficult to damage a hard drive directly with it's magnetism. The HD is exposed to far greater magnetic forces from its own internal permanent magnets. A transformer is far more likely to damage an HD from its vibration, but then only with direct contact with a transformer that vibrates far more than average.

In practical terms, a transformer won't affect anything but magnetic tape, floppy disks, and CRT video equipment.

 

[zephyrprime]

Directly on, and inches away, are two very different scenarios. Magnetic fields lose strength with the square root of the distance.

Cube of the distance because magnetic fields are dipoles rather than mono poles like gravity or electric charges. Classic transformer electromagnets are topologically toroidal. The magnetic field outside a toroidal magnet is 0 (although this is not entirely true for transformers beucause they don't have wire wrapped all the way around). Also, modern transformers have the output wire windings right next to the input windings so there would be counter emf generated which would further mask any stray magetic field (although only partially because the output windings are only a fraction of the input ones for most consumer electronics usage because small electronics transformers are always step down.

And even if there was an external magnetic field, it still wouldn't matter because it would be too far away from your drives.

So the answer is no.

 

[poohbear]

Ok thanks for clarifying. I have the transformer about 40-50cm from tmy hdd (as its located in my case). What about a subwoofer? I have the Klipsch promedias 2.1, would putting my case near the subwoofer be really bad? Or is that all a thing of the past?

 

[Cerb]

Cube of the distance because magnetic fields are dipoles rather than mono poles like gravity or electric charges.

Note to self: dig out college physics book and give it a good once over... ^_^

 

[tweakboy]

Ok thanks for clarifying. I have the transformer about 40-50cm from tmy hdd (as its located in my case). What about a subwoofer? I have the Klipsch promedias 2.1, would putting my case near the subwoofer be really bad? Or is that all a thing of the past?

Oh if you have Klipsch dont worry about it,,, you can rest one of the speakers on top of a external drive while its on copy large files. Nothing will happen.

These are quality and shielded to the fullest... next to monitor or computer does nothing ,,,, this goes for the sub woofer too.

the right speaker is right next to his pos Maxtor External and both left and right speakers are next to the pos viewsonic,,,,,, no interference,, as promised by Klipsch.....

gl

 

[Brian Stirling]

Transformers are designed to keep the magnetism confined to the core, rather than let it out, and it's very, very difficult to damage a hard drive directly with it's magnetism. The HD is exposed to far greater magnetic forces from its own internal permanent magnets. A transformer is far more likely to damage an HD from its vibration, but then only with direct contact with a transformer that vibrates far more than average.

In practical terms, a transformer won't affect anything but magnetic tape, floppy disks, and CRT video equipment.

Exactly, a transformer is more than coils of wires and it's the core than confines the magnetic field that is critical. There will be some leakage, of course, but you should be able to safely place a HD on top of a transformer without causing the HD to lose anything due to magnetic fields coming from the transformer.


Brian

 

[Vinwiesel]

Unless the magnetic field is strong enough to pull your case to the transformer, you're fine. Most any consumer product is UL, CE, FCC, etc. certified so you don't have to worry about them interfering with each other. That being said, I have a Samsung laser printer that wreaks havoc on my CFL lights on the same circuit.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Just don't put a hard drive magnet near a hard drive, as ironic as that sounds, it will kill it.

 

[KillerBee]

May want to keep it away from the monitor
(if you're old school CRT)

 

[KingFatty]

Just make sure your transformer coils are not like these, it would melt your hard drive and copper heatsinks:
http://izismile.com/2012/04/27/science_is_awesome_levitationmelting_method_of_induction.html

 

[poohbear]

hmmm, in the Klipsch 2.1 Promedia manual (newest online one) it says:

The subwoofer should be at least 3 feet (1m) from the computer monitor to avoid interference.

but is that referring to LCDs as well or only CRTs?(these speakers were originally released in the late 90s if i'm not mistaken, but they continue to be sold even in 2012, although im sure they've been modified since the initial release) Should the subwoofer also be 1 meter away from my case?(the manual makes no mention of that) What would cause interference in my case and the subwoofer?(all my specs are in my sig). Thanks again.

 

[KingFatty]

hmmm, in the Klipsch 2.1 Promedia manual (newest online one) it says:

The subwoofer should be at least 3 feet (1m) from the computer monitor to avoid interference.

but is that referring to LCDs as well or only CRTs?(these speakers were originally released in the late 90s if i'm not mistaken, but they continue to be sold even in 2012, although im sure they've been modified since the initial release) Should the subwoofer also be 1 meter away from my case?(the manual makes no mention of that) What would cause interference in my case and the subwoofer?(all my specs are in my sig). Thanks again.

Nothing to worry about for the LCD.

I think this warning is a separate issue, for CRTs. Speakers can have exposed magnets, they are used to surround a coil. But the exposed magnet is rather strong and has a field that is uncontained. Years ago if you put the speaker next to the back of the CRT TV, you'd see the screen image distort. Also, you could make a rainbow effect on the surface of the CRT screen, and sometimes it would stick. But that's just for CRTs, not LCDs.

However, some speakers include a metal shield around the exposed magnet, to contain the field. Those are safe to put right next to CRTs. Sometimes, you'll see a 5.1 speaker system, and the center, left, and right speakers include the magnetic shield, but the rear speakers don't.

Anyway, Klipsch probably sells a more expensive model with the magnetic shield, and so will put a big bold warning to make you think you need a reason to upgrade to the shielded models, when you don't. But that just depends on their marketing department I guess.

 

[exdeath]

I don't think people understand just how strong GMR effects are and the distances they work under. The materials used for the magnetic domains on the spindle hold their state exceptionally well. Normal magnets and EMI devices will not come anywhere close to damaging the data on a hard drive.

You realize there is a very strong permanent magnet already inside every HDD that is a mere centimeter from the spindle, right?

 

[poohbear]

ok awesome, so i'll just put my case next to my subwoofer then! The back end of the case will be maybe 10 cm away, but my hdd (which is @ the front of the case) will be more like 40-50cm away. Anyways thanks for explaining everything fellas and putting my doubts to rest!