Handling and Storing Cards

This section explains how to avoid damaging the cards (IOCs, SPCs, and host subsystems) that you install into the services gateway. Many components on the cards are fragile.

Caution: Failure to handle cards as specified in this document can cause irreparable damage.

This section discusses how to hold cards in both the vertical and horizontal positions. Regardless of orientation, this section uses the same terms for all four edges of the card (see Figure 3):

• Faceplate—Edge of the card that has connectors to which you connect cables or sockets for SFP or XFP transceivers
• Connector edge—Edge opposite the faceplate; this edge has the connectors that attach to the midplane
• Top edge—Edge at the top of the card when it is vertical
• Bottom edge—Edge at the bottom of the card when it is vertical

Note: The instructions in this section apply to all card types.

Figure 3: Card Edges

Holding a Card

When you carry a card, you can hold it either vertically or horizontally.

Note: A card weighs up to 13.1 lb (5.9 kg). Be prepared to accept the full weight of the card as you lift it.

To hold a card vertically:

1. Orient the card so that the faceplate faces you. To verify orientation, confirm that the text on the card is right-side up and the electromagnetic interference (EMI) strip is on the right-hand side.
2. Place one hand around the card faceplate about a quarter of the way down from the top edge. To avoid deforming the EMI shielding strip, do not press hard on it.
3. Place your other hand at the bottom edge of the card.

If the card is horizontal before you grasp it, place your left hand around the faceplate and your right hand along the bottom edge.

To hold a card horizontally:

1. Orient the card so that the faceplate faces you.
2. Grasp the top edge with your left hand and the bottom edge with your right hand.

You can rest the faceplate of the card against your body as you carry it.

As you carry the card, do not bump it against anything. Card components are fragile.

Never hold or grasp the card anywhere except places that this document indicates. In particular, never grasp the connector edge, especially at the power connector in the corner where the connector and bottom edges meet (see Figure 4).

Figure 4: Do Not Grasp the Connector Edge

Never carry the card by the faceplate with only one hand.

Do not rest any edge of a card directly against a hard surface (see Figure 5).

Do not stack cards.

Figure 5: Do Not Rest the Card on an Edge

If you must rest the card temporarily on an edge while changing its orientation between vertical and horizontal, use your hand as a cushion between the edge and the surface.

Storing a Card

You must store a card as follows:

• In the device chassis
• In the container in which a spare card is shipped
• Horizontally and sheet metal side down

When you store a card on a horizontal surface or in the shipping container, always place it inside an antistatic bag. Because the card is heavy, and because antistatic bags are fragile, inserting the card into the bag is easier with two people. To do this, one person holds the card in the horizontal position with the faceplate facing the body, and the other person slides the opening of the bag over the card connector edge.

If you must insert the card into a bag by yourself, first lay the card horizontally on a flat, stable surface, sheet metal side down. Orient the card with the faceplate facing you. Carefully insert the card connector edge into the opening of the bag, and pull the bag toward you to cover the card.

Never stack a card under or on top of any other component.