Smartcard Life Expectancy

[Bonnie]

With all the wear & tear from removing and re-inserting the Smartcard daily, what is the approximate average life expectancy of the card? And for any of you who clean it: How often do you do it and with what?

[lferrel]

Bonnie,

I do not know the answer to your questions, but I did have the experience this last week of sending my smart card on a voyage in the washing machine (I forgot and left it in the pocket of a shirt I put in the laundry). It got a good cleansing but is none the worse for the wear-and-tear.

Lowell

[Goofproof]

The reader is rated for 100,000 insertion cycles, that doesn't mean much, the lifespand of all products is the same, one minute, to forever. The main thing it's got a two year warranty from the manufacturer. Jim

I treat mine with kid gloves, and have a extra reader. They should not get dirty, as they should be in the machine or reader, or if you have to carry it in a static proof container. The contacts are gold, to cut down resistance and corrosion, and they can be cleaned carefully with a eraser. Jim

[CollegeGirl]

Gee, Jim, an eraser? According to Lowell, they're machine washable!

Good to know they can hold up to that, though! LOL

[cwsanfor]

Goofproof answered the question, but I sure wish Respironics would make the next model WiFi capable. , sort of.

[GoofyUT]

I know that the Infineer card reader is rated for 100,000 insertion cycles, but is the SmartCard itself?

C

[Goofproof]

There is no rating for the life of the smartcard, one static discharge could be enought to take it out as it would any memory stick, it's a case of care and safe use, and the luck of the draw. Jim