To deactivate certain types of anti-theft strips, specifically magnetic security strips, you need to apply a magnetic field.
Understanding Magnetic Security Strips
Many retail anti-theft systems utilize magnetic security strips, also known as magnetomechanical strips. These strips are typically thin, metallic ribbons often hidden within product packaging, books, or labels. When an active strip passes through a detector gate at an exit, it triggers an alarm.
The Deactivation Process
Based on the provided information, the method for deactivating this specific type of magnetic security strip involves a simple principle:
To deactivate the magnetic security strip, all that need be done is to magnetize the strip along its length.
This process effectively changes the magnetic properties of the strip, making it invisible to the detector system.
How This is Achieved
The deactivation is accomplished by:
- Applying a strong magnetic field: A specialized deactivating device generates a powerful magnetic field.
- Applying it along the length: This field is directed specifically along the length of the security strip.
When the strip is exposed to this field, its magnetic state changes, rendering it inert and preventing the alarm from triggering upon exit. Retailers typically have deactivation pads or scanners at the point of sale (POS) to perform this action after a purchase is made.
This method is specifically for magnetic security strips and does not apply to other types of anti-theft tags, such as radio-frequency (RF) tags or acoustic-magnetic (AM) tags, which require different deactivation or removal methods.
