Airflow - Cisco Line Card 4500 E-Series Installation Manual

Chapter 2 Preparing for Installation
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Failure to observe these guidelines can damage internal components.
Note The Catalyst 4500 E-series switches are equipped with internal air temperature sensors that are triggered
at 104°F (40°C) generating a minor alarm and at 131°F (55°C) generating a major alarm.

Airflow

The Catalyst 4500 E-series switch is designed to be installed in an environment where there is a
sufficient volume of air available to cool the supervisor engines, modules, and power supplies. Any
constraints placed on the free flow of air through the chassis or an elevated ambient air temperature can
cause the switch to overheat and shut down.
To maintain proper air circulation through the Catalyst 4500 E-series switch chassis, we recommend that
you maintain a minimum 6-inch (15 cm) separation between a wall and the chassis air intake or a wall
and the chassis hot air exhaust. In situations where the switch chassis are installed in adjacent racks, you
should allow a minimum of 12-inches (30.5 cm) between the air intake of one chassis and the hot air
exhaust of another chassis. Failure to maintain adequate spacing between chassis can cause the switch
chassis that is drawing in the hot exhaust air to overheat and fail.
If you are installing your Catalyst 4500 E-series switch in an enclosed or partially enclosed rack, we
strongly recommend that you verify that your site meets the following guidelines:
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Do not place it where it will receive direct sunlight, particularly in the afternoon.
Do not place it next to a heat source of any kind, including heating vents.
Adequate ventilation is particularly important at high altitudes. Make sure that all slots and openings
on the system remain unobstructed, especially the fan vent on the chassis.
Clean the installation site at regular intervals to avoid buildup of dust and debris, which can cause a
system to overheat.
If the system has been exposed to abnormally cold temperatures, allow a 2-hour warm-up period to
bring it up to normal operating temperature before turning it on.
Verify that there is a minimum of 6 inches (15 cm) of clearance between the sides of the rack and
both the chassis air intake grill and the chassis air exhaust grill.
Verify that the ambient air temperature within the enclosed or partially enclosed rack is within the
chassis operating temperature limits. After installing the chassis in the rack, power up the chassis
and allow the chassis temperature to stabilize (approximately 2 hours). Measure the ambient air
temperature at the chassis air intake grill and at the chassis air exhaust grill by positioning an
external temperature probe approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the grills, in line with the
chassis slot occupied by the supervisor engine.
If the ambient intake air temperature is less than 104°F (40°C), the rack meets the intake air
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temperature criterion.
If the ambient intake air temperature exceeds 104°F (40°C), the system might experience minor
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temperature alarms and is in danger of overheating.
– If the ambient intake air temperature equals or is greater than 131°F (55°C), the system will
experience a major temperature alarm and shut down.
Catalyst 4500 E-Series Switches Installation Guide
Site Requirements
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