Removing the FPCs

The router can have up to four FPCs mounted horizontally in the FPC card cage on the front of the chassis, as shown in Figure 1. An FPC that houses four PICs weighs about 3 lb (1.5 kg).

Note: To help you work systematically, the following procedure directs you to remove FPCs starting with the top slot (labeled FPC0) and working down. You can remove FPCs in any order, however. As you remove each FPC, label it with its slot number and record the relevant information in the checklist in Table 20.

Table 20: FPC Removal Checklist

To remove the FPCs, follow this procedure (see Figure 34:

1. Place an electrostatic bag or antistatic mat on a flat, stable surface.
2. Attach an electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding strap to your bare wrist and connect the strap to one of the ESD points on the chassis. Verify that the router is attached to a proper earth ground. For more information about ESD, see Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage.
3. Locate the FPC or blank panel in the slot directly below the craft interface, which is labeled FPC0.
4. If the slot is covered by a blank panel, you can leave it in place. If the slot contains an FPC, perform the following steps:
   1. Unscrew the thumbscrew at each end of the FPC, using a Phillips screwdriver if necessary.
   2. Pull the ends of the ejector levers, which are adjacent to the thumbscrews, away from the face of the FPC.
   3. Grasp the FPC with both hands and slide it about halfway out of the chassis.
   4. Place one hand underneath the FPC to support it, slide it completely out of the chassis, and place it on the antistatic mat or in the electrostatic bag.

      Caution: When the FPC is out of the chassis, do not hold it by the ejector levers. They cannot support its weight. To avoid damaging any components, use extra care when laying the FPC on the antistatic mat, particularly if the mat is not made of foam. Do not stack the FPC on top of or under any other component.

5. Repeat Step 4 for each FPC or blank cover, proceeding from top to bottom.

Figure 34: Removing an FPC