Prevention of Electrostatic Discharge Damage on EX Series Switches
Switch components that are shipped in antistatic bags are sensitive to damage from static electricity. Some components can be impaired by voltages as low as 30 V. You can easily generate potentially damaging static voltages whenever you handle plastic or foam packing material or if you move components across plastic or carpets. Observe the following guidelines to minimize the potential for electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage, which can cause intermittent or complete component failures:
- Always use an ESD grounding strap when you are handling
components that are subject to ESD damage, and make sure that it is
in direct contact with your skin.
If a grounding strap is not available, hold the component in its antistatic bag (see Figure 1) in one hand and touch the exposed, bare metal of the switch with the other hand immediately before inserting the component into the switch.
Warning: For safety, periodically check the resistance value of the ESD strap. The measurement must be in the range of 1 through 10 Mohms.
- When handling any component that is subject to ESD damage
and that is removed from the chassis, make sure the equipment end
of your ESD strap is attached to the ESD point on the chassis.
If no grounding strap is available, touch the exposed, bare metal of the switch to ground yourself before handling the component.
- Avoid contact between the component that is subject to ESD damage and your clothing. ESD voltages emitted from clothing can damage components.
- When removing or installing a component that is subject
to ESD damage, always place it component-side up on an antistatic
surface, in an antistatic card rack, or in an antistatic bag (see Figure 1). If you are returning a component,
place it in an antistatic bag before packing it.
Figure 1: Place a Component into an Antistatic Bag
 | Caution: ANSI/TIA/EIA-568 cables such as category 5e and category 6 can get electrostatically charged. In order to dissipate this charge, always ground the cables to a suitable and safe earth ground before connecting them to the system. |
Related Topics
- General Safety Guidelines and Warnings for EX Series Switches
- See Rear Panel of an EX2200 Switch for the ESD point location.
- See Rear Panel of an EX3200 Switch for the ESD point location.
- See Rear Panel of an EX4200 Switch for the ESD point location.
- See Front Panel of an EX4500 Switch for the ESD point location.
- See Chassis Physical Specifications of an EX8208 Switch for the ESD point location.
- See Chassis Physical Specifications of an EX8216 Switch for the ESD point location.
