A method of detecting a reduction in tension in a tape, wherein the tape is transferrable between a first spool (15, 17) and a second spool (15, 17) by a tape drive (11), the tape drive (11) having a motor control system which includes two DC motors (16, 18) and a controller (24) for controlling the operation of the motors, the tape drive (11) also having two spool supports (12, 14), each of which is suitable for supporting a spool of tape, and each of which is driven by a respective one of the motors (16, 18), characterised in that the method includes storing a value relating to the current required to be supplied to each motor (16, 18) to maintain tension in the tape, and comparing a value relating to the current being supplied to each of the motors (16, 18) during tape transfer with the respective stored values.
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