Chapter 3: Installation Fundamentals; Electrostatic Discharge Prevention - Avaya 5000 Series Installing

Chapter 3: Installation fundamentals

The fundamentals topics in this document support the tasks directly associated with installation of the
Ethernet Routing Switch 5000 Series.

Electrostatic discharge prevention

This module provides information and procedures for the prevention of electrostatic discharge
during the installation process.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a discharge of stored static electricity that can damage
equipment and impair electrical circuitry. These electrostatic voltages can result from friction,
including, but not exclusive to, pulling cabling through conduits, walking across carpeted areas,
and building up of static charge in clothing. ESD damage occurs when electronic components
are improperly handled and can result in complete or intermittent failures. While networking
equipment is commonly designed and tested to withstand common mode ESD events, voltage
sometimes can be discharged to some connector pins but not others, or to some pins before
others, which has the potential to damage the networking equipment.
To protect the Avaya Ethernet Routing Switch against ESD damage, take the following
preventive measures before connecting any data cables to the device:
• Always use antistatic wrist straps. Make sure the strap is adjusted to provide good skin
contact.
• Ensure that work surfaces and equipment racks are properly grounded for protection
against electrostatic discharge. The common point must be connected 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 only protects 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.
With new cable installations, Avaya recommends that the use of an ESD discharge cable to
reduce the potential for damage from static that can build up in cables. See
cable on page 12.
Installing Avaya Ethernet Routing Switch 5000 Series
Figure 1: ESD
December 2013 11