Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage occurs when electronic cards or components are improperly handled
resulting in complete or intermittent failures. Static electricity can harm delicate components inside your
system. To prevent static damage, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your
system components, such as a microprocessor. As you continue to work on your system, periodically touch
an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
The following are guidelines for preventing ESD damage:
• Always use an ESD-preventive wrist or ankle strap and ensure that it makes good skin contact. Before
removing a card from the chassis, connect the equipment end of the strap to the ESD plug at the bottom
of the chassis below the power entry modules.
• Handle line cards by faceplates and carrier edges only; avoid touching the card components or connector
pins.
• When removing a module, place the removed module component-side-up on an antistatic surface or in
a static-shielding bag. If the module is to be returned to the factory, immediately place it in a
static-shielding bag.
• Avoid contact between the modules and clothing. The wrist strap protects the card from ESD voltages
only on the body; ESD voltages on clothing can still cause damage.
• When transporting a sensitive component, place it in an antistatic container or packaging.
• Handle all sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use antistatic floor pads and workbench
pads.
For safety, periodically check the resistance value of the antistatic strap. The measurement should be between
1 and 10 ohms.
Caution
Always tighten the captive installation screws on all the system components when you are installing them.
These screws prevent accidental removal of the module, provide proper grounding for the system, and help
ensure that the bus connectors are properly seated in the backplane.
Caution
Electrical Safety
All the system components are hot-swappable. They are designed to be removed and replaced while the system
is operating, without presenting an electrical hazard or damage to the system.
Follow these basic guidelines when you are working with any electrical equipment:
• Before beginning any procedures requiring access to the chassis interior, locate the emergency power-off
switch for the room in which you are working.
• Disconnect all power and external cables before installing or removing a chassis.
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms Hardware Installation Guide
21
Preparing Your Site for Installation
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage
