Electrostatic discharge
This section provides information and procedures to prevent electrostatic discharge during
installation.
Preventing electrostatic discharge damage
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a discharge of stored static electricity that can damage equipment
and impair electrical circuitry. Electrostatic voltages can result from friction including, pulling cabling
through conduits, walking across carpeted areas, and building static charge in clothing. When you
improperly handle electronic components, ESD damage occurs and can result in complete or
intermittent failures. While networking equipment is commonly designed and tested to withstand
common mode ESD events, voltage can sometimes discharge to some connector pins, which can
potentially damage the networking equipment.
Caution:
To protect the Avaya VSP 4000 against ESD damage, take the following measures before you
connect data cables to the device:
• Always use antistatic wrist straps. Make sure you adjust the strap to provide good skin
contact.
• Ensure that you properly ground work surfaces and equipment racks for protection against
electrostatic discharge. You must connect the common point to the building ground wire. In
a properly wired building, the nearest reliable ground is typically at the electrical outlet.
• Avoid contact between equipment and clothing. The wrist or ankle strap protects only the
equipment from ESD voltages on the body; ESD voltages on clothing can still cause
damage.
• Avoid touching any connector pins.
• Do not remove the wrist or ankle strap until the installation is complete.
Preventing electrostatic damage in new cable installations
With new cable installations, Avaya recommends that you use an ESD discharge cable to reduce
the potential for damage from static, that can build up in cables. The following figure illustrates an
ESD cable.
Electrostatic discharge
May 2016
Installing Avaya Virtual Services Platform 4850GTS Series
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