Site requirements

Planning a proper location for the switch and layout of the equipment rack or wiring closet is essential for successful system operation. These sections describe some of the basic site requirements that you should be aware of as you prepare to install your switch, including the following:

• Environmental factors can adversely affect the performance and longevity of your system.

• Install the switch in an enclosed, secure area, ensuring that only qualified personnel have access to the switch and control of the environment.

• Equipment that is placed too closely together or that is inadequately ventilated may cause system over-temperature conditions, leading to premature component failure.

• Poor equipment placement can make chassis panels inaccessible and difficult to maintain.

• The switch requires a dry, clean, well-ventilated, and air-conditioned environment.

• To ensure normal operation, maintain ambient airflow. If the airflow is blocked or restricted, or if the intake air is too warm, an over-temperature condition may occur. The switch environmental monitor may then shut down the system to protect the system components.

• Multiple switches can be rack mounted with little or no clearance above and below the chassis. However, when mounting a switch in a rack with other equipment, or when placing it on the floor near other equipment, ensure that the exhaust from other equipment does not blow into the air intake vent of the switch chassis.

A 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. If there are any constraints with regard to the free flow of air through the chassis, or if the ambient air temperature is elevated, the switch environmental monitor may then shut down the system to protect the system components.

To maintain proper air circulation through the switch chassis, we recommend that you maintain a minimum space of 6 inches (15 cm) between a wall and the chassis and power supply unit air intakes or a wall and the chassis and power supply unit hot air exhausts. In situations where the switch chassis are installed in adjacent racks, you should allow a minimum space 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 may cause the switch chassis that is drawing in the hot exhaust air to overheat and fail.

If you are installing your switch in an enclosed or partially enclosed rack, we strongly recommend that you verify that your site meets the following guidelines:

• 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 by positioning an external temperature probe 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the chassis left side, and centered on the chassis both horizontally and vertically.

  Measure the ambient air temperature at the power supply unit air intake grill by positioning an external temperature probe 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the chassis front, centered on the power supply unit section located above the card slots.

  • If you are using 9550-FAN-1U-R or C9550-FAN-2U-R fans, and the ambient intake air temperature is less than 113°F (45°C) at altitudes of 6,000 feet and below, the rack meets the intake air temperature criterion. At altitudes above that threshold and up to 10,000 feet (3000 m), the air intake should not exceed 104°F (40°C).

    If you are using C9550-FAN-1U-F or C9550-FAN-2U-F fans, the air intake should not exceed 95°F (35°C).

  • If the ambient intake air temperature exceeds this recommendation, the system may experience minor temperature alarms and increase fan speeds in response.

  • If the ambient intake air temperature equals or is greater than 113°F (45°C) for C9550-FAN-1U-R and C9550-FAN-2U-R fans, and 95°F (35°C) for C9550-FAN-1U-F and C9550-FAN-2U-F fans, the system may experience a major temperature alarm with maximum fan speeds in response. If ambient temperature continues to increase, system will respond with protective shut down.

• Plan ahead. A switch that is currently installed in an enclosed or partially enclosed rack might meet ambient air temperature and air flow requirements at present. However, if you add more chassis to the rack or more modules to a chassis in the rack, the additional heat generated might cause the ambient air temperature at the chassis or power supply unit inlets to exceed recommended conditions which may trigger thermal alarms.

  If installation conditions for inlet temperature and airflow are marginal or not fully met, activate the fan tray’s NEBS mode, which has more aggressive programming to address restricted spacing and elevated ambient temperatures. This should result in reduced thermal alarms along with greater acoustic noise and increased power consumption associated with higher fan speeds.

Dust is everywhere and often invisible to the naked eye. It consists of fine particles in the air that originate from various sources, such as soil dust lifted by weather, from volcanic eruptions, or pollution. Dust at an installation site may contain small amounts of textile, paper fibers, or minerals from outdoor soil. It may also contain natural contaminants, such as chlorine from the marine environment and industrial contaminants such as sulfur. Ionized dust and debris are dangerous and get attracted to electronic equipment.

The accumulation of dust and debris on electronic equipment has the following adverse effects:

• It increases the operating temperature of the equipment. According to the Arrhenius effect, an increase in the operating temperature leads to a decrease in reliability and life of the equipment.

• The moisture and corrosive elements that are present in the dust can corrode the electronic or mechanical components and cause premature board failure.

These adverse effects are further accelerated by the presence of fans in the data networking equipment that ingest dust and other particles into the equipment. Higher the volume of air that is generated by the fans for cooling, the higher the quantity of dust and particulates that get deposited and trapped inside the equipment. Remove or minimize the presence of dust and particulates at the installation site by following the guidelines mentioned in ANSI 71-04-2013 regulations.

Operating a system at high altitude (low pressure) reduces the efficiency of forced and convection cooling and may result in electrical problems related to arcing and corona effects. This condition may also cause sealed components with internal pressure, such as electrolytic capacitors, to fail or perform at reduced efficiency.

Corrosion is a chemical reaction that occurs between electronic components and gases which results in metal deterioration. Corrosion attacks edge connectors, pin connectors, IC plug-in sockets, wirewraps, and all other metal components. Depending on the type and concentration level of the corrosive gases, performance degradation of the components occurs either rapidly or over a period of time. It also leads to blocked currents, brittle connection points, and overheated electrical systems. Corrosion by-products form insulating layers on circuits and causes electronic failure, short circuits, pitting, and metal loss.

A type of corrosion known as creep corrosion, that primarily affects PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) occurs when the PCBA is subjected to a harsh, and sulfur-rich (hydrogen sulfide) end-use environment over a prolonged period of time. The corrosion begins on certain exposed metals, such as copper and silver, and then creeps along the remaining metal surface either causing electrical short circuits or creating holes. Creep corrosion also occurs on electronic components such as resistors and PCBs.

To prevent corrosion, remove or minimize the presence of dust and particulates at the installation site by following the guidelines mentioned in ANSI 71-04-2013 regulations.

Fans cool power supplies and system components by drawing in room-temperature air and exhausting heated air out through various openings in the chassis. However, fans also ingest dust and other particles, causing contaminant buildup in the system and increased internal chassis temperature. A clean operating environment can greatly reduce the negative effects of dust and other particles, which act as insulators and interfere with the mechanical components in the system.

The standards listed below provide guidelines for acceptable working environments and acceptable levels of suspended particulate matter:

• National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Type 1

• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) IP-20

Electro-Magnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) from a system can adversely affect devices such as radio and television (TV) receivers operating near the system. Radio frequencies emanating from a system can also interfere with cordless and low-power telephones. Conversely, RFI from high-power telephones can cause spurious characters to appear on the system monitor. RFI is defined as any EMI with a frequency above 10 kilohertz (kHz). This type of interference can travel from the system to other devices through the power cable and power source, or through the air in the form of transmitted radio waves. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) publishes specific regulations to limit the amount of harmful interference emitted by computing equipment. Each system meets these FCC regulations.

To reduce the possibility of EMI and RFI, follow these guidelines.

• Always operate the system with the chassis covers installed.

• Ensure that all chassis slots are covered by a metal filler bracket and that an unused power supply bay has a metal cover plate installed.

• Ensure that the screws on all peripheral cable connectors are securely fastened to their corresponding connectors on the back of the chassis.

• Always use shielded cables with metal connector shells for attaching peripherals to the system.

When wires are run for any significant distance in an electromagnetic field, interference can occur between the field and the signals on the wires. This fact has two implications for the construction of plant wiring.

• Bad wiring practice can result in radio interference emanating from the plant wiring.

• Strong EMI, especially when it is caused by lightning or radio transmitters, can destroy the signal drivers and receivers in the chassis, and even create an electrical hazard by conducting power surges through lines into equipment.

You must install a system ground as part of the chassis installation process. Chassis installations that rely only on the AC third-prong ground are insufficient to adequately ground the systems.

Proper grounding practices ensure that the buildings and the installed equipment within them have low-impedance connections and low-voltage differentials between chassis. When you install a system ground, you reduce or prevent shock hazards, chances of equipment damage due to transients, and the potential for data corruption.

Without proper and complete system grounding, you run the risk of increased component damage due to ESD. Additionally, you have a greatly increased chance of data corruption, system lockup, and frequent system reboot situations by not using a system ground.

High-humidity conditions may cause moisture to enter the system, and cause corrosion of internal components and degradation of properties such as electrical resistance, thermal conductivity, physical strength, and size.

Extreme moisture buildup inside the system may result in electrical short circuit, which may cause serious damage to the system. Each system is rated for storage and operation in 10 to 95 percent relative humidity, non-condensing with a humidity gradation of 10 percent per hour.

Buildings in which climate is controlled by air-conditioning in the warmer months and by heat during the colder months usually maintain an acceptable level of humidity for system equipment. However, if a system is located in an unusually humid location, a dehumidifier should be used to maintain the humidity within an acceptable range.

Systems are especially sensitive to variations in voltage supplied by the AC power source. Overvoltage, undervoltage, and transients (or spikes) can erase data from memory or even cause components to fail. To protect against these types of problems, power wiring ground conductors should always be properly grounded. Also, place the system on a dedicated power circuit (rather than sharing a circuit with other heavy electrical equipment). In general, do not allow the system to share a circuit with any of the following:

• Copy machines

• Air conditioners

• Vacuum cleaners

• Space heaters

• Power tools

• Teletype machines

• Laser printers

• Facsimile machines

• Any other motorized equipment

Besides these appliances, the greatest threats to a system's power supply are surges or blackouts that are caused by electrical storms. Whenever possible, turn off the system and peripherals, if any, and unplug them from their power sources during thunderstorms. If a blackout occurs—even a temporary one—while the system is turned on, turn off the system immediately and disconnect it from the electrical outlet. Leaving the system on may cause problems when the power is restored; all other appliances left on in the area may create large voltage spikes that may damage the system.

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) damage can occur when modules or other FRUs are improperly handled, resulting in intermittent or complete failure of the modules or FRUs. Modules consist of printed circuit boards that are fixed in metal carriers. EMI shielding and connectors are integral components of a carrier. Although the metal carrier helps to protect the board from ESD, always use an ESD-grounding strap when handling modules. To prevent ESD damage, follow these guidelines:

• Always use an ESD wrist or ankle strap and ensure that it makes good skin contact.

• Connect the equipment end of the strap to an unfinished chassis surface.

• When installing a component, use an available ejector lever to properly seat the bus connectors in the backplane or midplane. These devices prevent accidental removal, provide proper grounding for the system, and help to ensure that bus connectors are properly seated.

• When removing a component, use an available ejector lever to release the bus connectors from the backplane or midplane.

• Handle carriers by available handles or edges only; avoid touching the printed circuit boards or connectors.

• Place a removed component board-side-up on an antistatic surface or in a static-shielding container. If you plan to return the component to the factory, immediately place it in a static-shielding container.

• Avoid contact between the printed circuit boards and clothing. The wrist strap only protects components from ESD voltages on the body; ESD voltages on clothing can still cause damage.

• Never attempt to remove the printed circuit board from the metal carrier.

Follow these guidelines, when working with electrical equipment.

• Do not work alone if potentially hazardous conditions exist anywhere in your work space.

• Never assume that power is disconnected from a circuit; always check the circuit before working on it.

  When the power is switched off, put a lock-box on the circuit, so that no one can accidentally switch it on.

• Look carefully for possible hazards in your work area, such as damp floors, ungrounded power extension cables, frayed or damaged power cords, and missing safety grounds.

• If an electrical accident occurs, proceed as follows:

  • Use extreme caution; do not become a victim yourself.

  • Disconnect power from the system.

  • Seek medical attention, if necessary.

• Use the product within its marked electrical ratings and product usage instructions.

• Install the product in compliance with local and national electrical codes.

• If any of the following conditions occur, contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center.

  • The power cable or plug is damaged.

  • An object has fallen into the product.

  • The product has been exposed to water or other liquids.

  • The product has been dropped or shows signs of damage.

  • The product does not operate correctly when you follow the operating instructions.

• To prevent electrical shock

  • Use the correct external power source. Operate the product only from the type of power source indicated on the electrical ratings label. If you are not sure of the type of power source required, consult a local electrician.

  • Plug all the power cables into properly grounded electrical outlets. These power cables are equipped with three-prong plugs to ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a power cable.

  • Do not modify power cables or plugs yourself. Consult with a licensed electrician or your power company for site modifications. Always follow your local and national wiring codes.

  • Observe power strip ratings. Make sure that the total current rating of all products that are plugged into the power strip does not exceed 80 percent of the power strip rating.

The equipment complies with the Earthquake, Office, and Transportation Vibration, and Equipment Handling Criteria of GR-63-CORE.

Temperature extremes may cause a system to operate at reduced efficiency and cause a variety of problems, including premature aging and failure of chips, and failure of mechanical devices. Extreme temperature fluctuations may also cause chips to become loose in their sockets. Observe the following guidelines:

• Ensure that the chassis has adequate ventilation.

• Do not place the chassis within a closed-in wall unit or on top of cloth, which can act as thermal insulation.

• Do not place the chassis where it will receive direct sunlight, particularly in the afternoon.

• Do not place the chassis next to a heat source of any kind, including heating vents.

• Adequate ventilation is particularly important at high altitudes. Make sure that all the 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 may cause a system to overheat.

• If system is exposed to abnormally low temperatures, allow a two hour warm up period, in ambient temperature no lower than 32°F (0 °C) before turning on.

Failure to observe these guidelines may damage the internal components of the chassis.