Input Devices : Magnetics Stripes

Magnetic stripes (or strips) are built into many plastic cards such as cheque guarantee or credit cards. Magnetic stripes look like this :

The strip can contain up to 60 characters (numbers or digits) of information which is stored magnetically. Usually the information is put onto the stripe when the card is made and is never changed. Magnetic stripe codes can also sometimes be found on the back of railway tickets.

To be read the card is swiped through a machine which quickly and accurately reads the pattern of magnetism. The information stored on the card can be destroyed by exposure to magnetic fields, by scratching or by coming into contact with some liquids.

For many purposes cards that incorporate magnetic stripes are now being replaced with smart cards.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004