Connecting Earth Ground to an EX Series Switch
To meet safety and electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements and to ensure proper operation, you must connect the switches to earth ground before you connect them to power.
For installations that require a separate grounding conductor to the chassis, use the protective earthing terminal on the EX Series switch chassis to connect to the earth ground (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Connecting a Grounding Cable to an EX Series Switch

Before you connect earth ground to the protective earthing terminal of an EX Series switch, ensure that a licensed electrician has attached an appropriate grounding lug to the grounding cable.
![]() | Caution: Using a grounding cable with an incorrectly attached lug can damage the switch. |
Follow the procedure that applies to your switch:
Connecting Earth Ground to an EX2200 or EX3200 Switch
The protective earthing terminal is located on the rear of the chassis in an EX2200 switch and in an EX3200 switch.
An AC-powered EX Series switch chassis gets additional grounding when you plug the power supply in the switch into a grounded AC power outlet by using an AC power cord appropriate for your geographical location. For EX2200 switches, see AC Power Cord Specifications for EX2200 Switches. For EX3200 switches, see AC Power Cord Specifications for EX3200 and EX4200 Switches.
Ensure that you have the following parts and tools available:
- Grounding cable for your switch—The grounding cable must be minimum 14 AWG (2 mm²), minimum 90°C wire, or as permitted by the local code.
- Grounding lug for your grounding cable—The grounding lug required is a Panduit LCD6-14BH-L or equivalent.
- Washers and 10-32x.25-in. screws to secure the grounding
lug to the protective earthing terminal

Note: Some early models of EX3200 switches require 10-24x.25-in. screws rather than 10-32x.25-in. screws. If the Juniper Networks product number on the label next to the protective earthing terminal is from 750-021xxx through 750-030xxx, the switch requires 10-24x.25-in. screws.
- Phillips (+) screwdriver, number 2
To connect earth ground to an EX2200 or EX3200 switch:
- Connect one end of the grounding cable to a proper earth ground, such as the rack in which the switch is mounted.
- Place the grounding lug attached to the grounding cable over the protective earthing terminal. See Figure 1.
- Secure the grounding lug to the protective earthing terminal with screws.
- Dress the grounding cable and ensure that it does not touch or block access to other switch components and that it does not drape where people could trip over it.
Connecting Earth Ground to an EX4200 Switch
The protective earthing terminal is located on the left side of the chassis in an EX4200 switch.
An AC-powered EX Series switch chassis gets additional grounding when you plug the power supply in the switch into a grounded AC power outlet by using an AC power cord appropriate for your geographical location. See AC Power Cord Specifications for EX3200 and EX4200 Switches.
Ensure that you have the following parts and tools available:
- Grounding cable for your EX4200 switch—The grounding cable must be minimum 14 AWG (2 mm²), minimum 90°C wire, or as permitted by the local code.
- Grounding lug for your grounding cable—The grounding lug required is a Panduit LCD6-14BH-L or equivalent.
- Washers and 10-32x.25-in. screws to secure the grounding
lug to the protective earthing terminal

Note: Some early models of EX4200 switches require 10-24x.25-in. screws rather than 10-32x.25-in. screws. If the Juniper Networks product number on the label next to the protective earthing terminal is from 750-021xxx through 750-030xxx, the switch requires 10-24x.25-in. screws.
- Phillips (+) screwdriver, number 2
To connect earth ground to an EX4200 switch:
- Connect one end of the grounding cable to a proper earth ground, such as the rack in which the switch is mounted.
- Place the grounding lug attached to the grounding
cable over the protective earthing terminal. See Figure 1.
If you mounted an EX4200 switch on four posts of a rack using the four-post rack-mount kit, the protective earthing terminal on the switch is accessible through the slot on the left rear bracket. See Figure 2.

Note: The protective earthing terminal on an EX4200 switch mounted on four posts is available only if the rack is 27.5 in. deep through 30.5 in. deep for a switch mounted flush with the rack front and 29.5 in. deep through 32.5 in. deep for a switch mounted 2 in. recessed from the rack front.
Figure 2: Connecting the Grounding Lug to an EX4200 Switch on a Four-Post Rack

- Secure the grounding lug to the protective earthing terminal with screws.
- Dress the grounding cable and ensure that it does not touch or block access to other switch components and that it does not drape where people could trip over it.
Connecting Earth Ground to an EX4500 Switch
The protective earthing terminal is located on the left rear of the chassis in an EX4500 switch.
An AC-powered EX Series switch chassis gets additional grounding when you plug the power supply in the switch into a grounded AC power outlet by using an AC power cord appropriate for your geographical location. See AC Power Cord Specifications for an EX4500 Switch.
![]() | Note: If you plan to mount your switch on four posts of a rack or cabinet, mount your switch in the rack or cabinet before attaching the grounding lug to the switch. See Mounting an EX4500 Switch on Four Posts in a Rack or Cabinet |
Ensure that you have the following parts and tools available:
- Grounding cable for your EX4500 switch—The grounding cable must be 14 AWG (2 mm²), minimum 90°C wire, or as permitted by the local code.
- Grounding lug for your grounding cable. See Grounding Cable and Lug Specifications for EX4500 Switches.
- Washers and 10-32x.25-in. screws to secure the grounding lug to the protective earthing terminal
- Phillips (+) screwdriver, number 2
To connect earth ground to an EX4500 switch:
- Connect one end of the grounding cable to a proper earth ground, such as the rack in which the switch is mounted.
- Place the grounding lug attached to the grounding
cable over the protective earthing terminal. See Figure 1.

Note: If you mounted the switch on four posts of a rack using the four-post rack-mount kit, the protective earthing terminal on the switch is accessible through the slot on the left rear bracket.
The protective earthing terminal on the switch mounted on four posts is available only if the rack is 27.5 in. deep through 30.5 in. deep for a switch mounted flush with the rack front and 29.5 in. deep through 32.5 in. deep for a switch mounted 2 in. recessed from the rack front.
- Secure the grounding lug to the protective earthing terminal with screws.
- Dress the grounding cable and ensure that it does not touch or block access to other switch components and that it does not drape where people could trip over it.
Connecting Earth Ground to an EX8208 Switch
The protective earthing terminal is located on the left side of the chassis in an EX8208 switch.
An AC-powered EX Series switch chassis gets additional grounding when you plug the power supply in the switch into a grounded AC power outlet by using an AC power cord appropriate for your geographical location. See AC Power Cord Specifications for an EX8200 Switch.
Ensure that you have the following parts and tools available:
- Grounding cable for your EX8208 switch—The grounding cable must be 6 AWG (13.3 mm²), minimum 60°C wire, or as permitted by the local code.
- Grounding lug for your grounding cable. See Grounding Cable and Lug Specifications for EX8200 Switches.
- Washers and ¼-20x.75-in. screws to secure the grounding lug to the protective earthing terminal
- Phillips (+) screwdriver, number 2
To connect earth ground to an EX8208 switch:
- Connect one end of the grounding cable to a proper earth ground, such as the rack in which the switch is mounted.
- Place the grounding lug attached to the grounding cable over the protective earthing terminal. See Figure 1.
- Secure the grounding lug to the protective earthing terminal with screws.
- Dress the grounding cable and ensure that it does not touch or block access to other switch components and that it does not drape where people could trip over it.
Connecting Earth Ground to an EX8216 Switch
There are two protective earthing terminals on an EX8216 switch: one on the left side of the chassis and the other on the rear of the chassis. Only one of the two protective earthing terminals needs to be permanently connected to earth ground.
An AC-powered EX Series switch chassis gets additional grounding when you plug the power supply in the switch into a grounded AC power outlet by using an AC power cord appropriate for your geographical location. See AC Power Cord Specifications for an EX8200 Switch.
Ensure that you have the following parts and tools available:
- Grounding cable for your EX8216 switch—The grounding cable must be 2 AWG (33.6 mm²), minimum 60°C wire, or as permitted by the local code.
- Grounding lug for your grounding cable. See Grounding Cable and Lug Specifications for EX8200 Switches.
- Washers and ¼-20x.5/8-in. screws to secure the grounding lug to the protective earthing terminal
- Phillips (+) screwdriver, number 2
To connect earth ground to an EX8216 switch:
- Connect one end of the grounding cable to a proper earth ground, such as the rack in which the switch is mounted.
- Place the grounding lug attached to the grounding cable over the protective earthing terminal. See Figure 1.
- Secure the grounding lug to the protective earthing terminal with screws.
- Dress the grounding cable and ensure that it does not touch or block access to other switch components and that it does not drape where people could trip over it.
Related Topics
- Connecting AC Power to an EX2200 Switch
- Connecting AC Power to an EX3200 or EX4200 Switch
- Connecting DC Power to an EX3200 or EX4200 Switch
- Connecting AC Power to an EX4500 Switch
- Connecting AC Power to an EX8200 Switch
- Connecting DC Power to an EX8200 Switch
- General Safety Guidelines and Warnings for EX Series Switches
- Grounded Equipment Warning for EX Series Switches

