Connecting Earth Ground to an EX-series Switch

To meet safety and electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements and to ensure proper operation, EX-series switches must be adequately grounded before they are connected 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. The protective earthing terminal is located on the left side of the chassis in an EX 4200 switch when you look at it from the front. The protective earthing terminal is located on the rear of the chassis in an EX 3200 switch. The 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, Connection, and Power Cord Specifications).

Ensure you have the following tools and parts available to connect an EX-series switch to earth ground:

• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding strap
• Grounding cable
• Washers and 10-32x.25 in. screws to secure the grounding lug to the protective earthing terminal
• Phillips (+) screwdriver, number 2

Ensure you understand how to prevent ESD damage (see Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage).

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.

To connect an EX-series switch chassis to earth ground (see Figure 34):

1. Attach an electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding strap to your bare wrist, and connect the strap to the ESD point on the chassis.
2. Connect one end of the grounding cable to a proper earth ground, such as the rack in which the switch is installed.
3. With a Phillips (+) screwdriver, number 2, remove the screws and washers from the protective earthing terminal on the chassis.
4. Place the grounding lug attached to the grounding cable over the protective earthing terminal, as shown in Figure 34.
5. Secure the grounding lug to the protective earthing terminal, first with the washers, then with 10-32x.25 in. screws.

Figure 34: Connecting a Grounding Cable to an EX-series Switch

Related Topics

• Connecting Power to an EX-series Switch
• Power Supply in EX-series Switches