ORICO WS400C3 4-Bay 3.5-inch Hard Drive Enclosure User Manual

1. Introduction

The ORICO WS400C3 is a 4-bay external hard drive enclosure designed for 3.5-inch SATA HDDs and 2.5-inch SATA HDDs/SSDs. It provides a reliable solution for centralized data storage, backup, and management for home and business users. Featuring a Type-C to SATA interface, aluminum alloy construction for heat dissipation, and screw-based installation for enhanced drive security, this enclosure supports up to 80TB total capacity (20TB per bay) and offers data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps.

2. Package Contents

• 1x Aluminum 4 Bay Hard Drive Enclosure
• 1x 1M USB3.2 Gen2 Data Cable
• 1x 1M USB 3.0 Type-A Data Cable
• 1x 12V Power Adapter
• 1x Set of Screws

3. Product Overview

The ORICO WS400C3 enclosure is built with an aluminum alloy body and features honeycomb heat dissipation holes, along with an 80mm cooling fan, to maintain optimal operating temperatures for your drives. It supports various RAID modes (0/1/3/5/10/JBOD/CLONE) for flexible data management and protection. The device also includes a 10-minute auto-sleep function to conserve energy and extend hard disk lifespan.

Figure 1: Centralized Storage Capability

Figure 2: Heat Dissipation Design

4. Setup & Installation

4.1. Installing 3.5-inch SATA HDDs

1. Unscrew the cover screws on the enclosure to access the drive bays.
2. Slide out an empty drive tray from the enclosure.
3. Align your 3.5-inch SATA HDD with the screw holes on the drive tray.
4. Secure the HDD to the tray using the provided screws.
5. Carefully slide the loaded tray back into the enclosure until it clicks into place.
6. Repeat for additional drives.
7. Re-attach and secure the enclosure cover with the screws.

Figure 3: Enclosure Cover Screw Installation

Figure 4: 3.5-inch HDD Installation

4.2. Installing 2.5-inch SATA HDDs/SSDs (with optional 1125SS Mounting Bracket)

For 2.5-inch drives, an optional 1125SS mounting bracket is required. This bracket allows 2.5-inch drives to fit securely into the 3.5-inch bays.

1. Attach your 2.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD to the 1125SS mounting bracket using screws.
2. Follow steps 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 from the 3.5-inch HDD installation instructions, treating the bracket-mounted 2.5-inch drive as a 3.5-inch drive.

Figure 5: 2.5-inch SSD with Mounting Bracket

4.3. Installation Video Guide

5. Operating Instructions

5.1. Connecting the Enclosure

1. Connect the 12V power adapter to the enclosure and then to a power outlet.
2. Connect the enclosure to your computer (Laptop, Desktop, etc.) using the provided USB data cable (Type-C to Type-C or Type-C to Type-A).
3. Press the power button on the enclosure to turn it on. The LED indicators for each drive will illuminate.

Figure 6: Power and Data Connections

5.2. Drive Recognition and Formatting

After connecting, your operating system should detect the new storage device. New drives may need to be initialized and formatted before use. Refer to your operating system's disk management tools for this process.

5.3. RAID Configuration

The WS400C3 supports various RAID modes including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 3, RAID 5, RAID 10, JBOD, and CLONE. RAID configuration is typically performed via DIP switches located on the back of the enclosure. Warning: Always back up your data before changing RAID modes, as this can result in data loss.

Figure 7: RAID Mode Setting

5.4. Auto-Sleep Function

The enclosure features an intelligent 10-minute auto-sleep mode. If no data activity is detected for 10 minutes, the device will automatically enter sleep mode to reduce power consumption and prolong the lifespan of the installed hard drives. Activity will resume automatically upon data access.

6. Maintenance

• Keep the enclosure in a clean, dust-free environment to ensure proper ventilation.
• Avoid blocking the honeycomb ventilation holes to prevent overheating.
• Regularly check cable connections to ensure they are secure.
• Safely eject the device from your operating system before disconnecting power or data cables to prevent data corruption.

7. Troubleshooting

7.1. Drive Not Recognized / Random Disconnections

• Check Cables: Ensure all power and data cables are securely connected to both the enclosure and your computer. Try using different USB ports or cables.
• Power Supply: Verify the 12V power adapter is correctly connected and providing power.
• Drive Installation: Confirm that hard drives are properly seated and secured within their trays and that the enclosure cover is fastened.
• Operating System: For new drives, ensure they are initialized and formatted in your operating system's Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS/Linux). Refer to Video 2 for guidance.
• RAID Settings: If using RAID, ensure the DIP switches are set correctly for your desired RAID mode. Incorrect settings can prevent drives from being recognized or cause data issues.
• Driver Issues: While typically plug-and-play, ensure your operating system has the latest USB drivers.
• System Compatibility: Ensure your operating system (Windows XP / Vista / 7/8, Mac OS X 10.2 and higher, & Linux) is compatible.

7.2. Slow Data Transfer Speeds

• USB Port: Connect the enclosure to a USB 3.0 (or higher) port on your computer for optimal speeds. Using a USB 2.0 port will limit transfer rates.
• Cable Quality: Use the provided high-quality USB 3.2 Gen2 or USB 3.0 cables.
• Drive Performance: The speed of your hard drives themselves can be a limiting factor. Older or slower drives will result in lower transfer speeds.
• System Load: High CPU usage or other background processes on your computer can affect transfer speeds.

8. Specifications

9. Warranty and Support

ORICO products typically come with a standard manufacturer's warranty. For specific warranty details, technical support, or service inquiries, please refer to the warranty card included with your product or visit the official ORICO website. You may also contact ORICO customer service directly through their support channels.