EX4400 Site Guidelines and Requirements

Environmental Requirements and Specifications for EX4400 Switches

You must install the switch in a rack or cabinet. You must house it in a dry, clean, well-ventilated, and temperature-controlled environment.

Follow these environmental guidelines:

Keep the site as dust-free as possible, because dust can clog air intake vents and filters, reducing the efficiency of the switch cooling system.
Maintain ambient airflow for normal switch operation. If the airflow is blocked or restricted, or if the intake air is too warm, the switch might overheat, leading to the switch temperature monitor shutting down the device to protect the hardware components.

Table 1 provides the required environmental conditions for normal switch operation for EX4400.

Table 1: EX4400 Environmental Tolerances
Altitude	Relative Humidity	Temperature	Seismic
No performance degradation up to 6000 feet at 104° F (1828.8 meters at 40° C)	Normal operation ensured in relative humidity range of 5% through 90%, noncondensing	Normal operation ensured in temperature range of 32° F through 113° F (0° C through 45° C) Nonoperating storage temperature in shipping container: –40° F through 158° F (–40° C through 70° C)	Tested for Zone 4 earthquake according to NEBS GR-63-CORE, Issue 5.

Note:

Install the EX4400 only in restricted-access areas, such as dedicated equipment rooms and equipment closets, in accordance with Articles 110-16, 110-17, and 110-18 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70. Only skilled and instructed persons must access the device.

General Site Guidelines

Efficient device operation requires proper site planning and maintenance. It also requires proper layout of the equipment, rack or cabinet, and wiring closet.

To plan and create an acceptable operating environment for your device and prevent environmentally caused equipment failures:

Keep the area around the chassis free from dust and conductive material, such as metal flakes.
Follow the prescribed airflow guidelines to ensure that the cooling system functions properly. Ensure that exhaust from other equipment does not blow into the intake vents of the device.
Follow the prescribed electrostatic discharge (ESD) prevention procedures to prevent damaging the equipment. Static discharge can cause components to fail completely or intermittently over time.
Install the device in a secure area, so that only authorized personnel can access the device.

Site Electrical Wiring Guidelines

Table 2 describes the factors you must consider while planning the electrical wiring at your site.

Warning:

You must provide a properly grounded and shielded environment and use electrical surge-suppression devices.

Avertissement Vous devez établir un environnement protégé et convenablement mis à la terre et utiliser des dispositifs de parasurtension.

Table 2: Site Electrical Wiring Guidelines
Site Wiring Factor	Guidelines
Signaling limitations	If your site experiences any of the following problems, consult experts in electrical surge suppression and shielding: Improperly installed wires cause radio frequency interference (RFI). Damage from lightning strikes occurs when wires exceed recommended distances or pass between buildings. Electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) caused by lightning damage unshielded conductors and electronic devices.
Radio frequency interference	To reduce or eliminate RFI from your site wiring, do the following: Use a twisted-pair cable with a good distribution of grounding conductors. If you must exceed the recommended distances, use a high-quality twisted-pair cable with one ground conductor for each data signal, when applicable.
Electromagnetic compatibility	If your site is susceptible to problems with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), particularly from lightning or radio transmitters, seek expert advice. Strong sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI) can cause: Destruction of the signal drivers and receivers in the device Electrical hazards as a result of power surges conducted over the lines into the equipment.

Rack Requirements

You can mount the device on two-post racks or four-post racks.

Rack requirements consist of:

Rack type.
Mounting bracket hole spacing.
Rack size and strength.
Rack connection to the building structure.

Table 3 provides the rack requirements and specifications.

Table 3: Rack Requirements and Specifications
Rack Requirement	Guidelines
Rack type	A U is the standard rack unit defined by the Electronic Components Industry Association (http://www.ecianow.org). You can mount the device on a rack that provides bracket holes or hole patterns spaced at 1U (1.75 in. or 4.45 cm) increments and meets the size and strength requirements to support the weight.
Mounting bracket hole spacing	The holes in the mounting brackets are spaced at 1U (1.75 in. or 4.45 cm) so that the device can be mounted in any rack that provides holes spaced at that distance.
Rack size and strength	Ensure that the: Rack complies with the size and strength standards of a 19-in. rack as defined by the Electronic Components Industry Association (http://www.ecianow.org). Rack rails are spaced widely enough to accommodate the external dimensions of the device chassis. Ensure also that the outer edges of the front mounting brackets extend the width of the chassis to 19 in. (48.2 cm). Rack is strong enough to support the weight of the device. Spacing of rails and adjacent racks provides for proper clearance around the device and rack.
Rack connection to building structure	Secure the rack as follows: Secure the rack to the building structure. If your geographical area is earthquake-prone, secure the rack to the floor. Secure the rack to the ceiling brackets as well as wall or floor brackets for maximum stability.

Cabinet Requirements

You can mount the device in a cabinet that contains a 19-in. rack.

Cabinet requirements consist of:

Cabinet size.
Clearance requirements.
Cabinet airflow requirements.

Table 4 provides the cabinet requirements and specifications.

Table 4: Cabinet Requirements and Specifications
Cabinet Requirement	Guidelines
Cabinet size	The minimum cabinet size is 36 in. (91.4 cm) deep. Large cabinets improve airflow and reduce chances of overheating.
Cabinet clearance	The outer edges of the front mounting brackets extend the width of the chassis to 19 in. (48.2 cm). The minimum total clearance inside the cabinet is 30.7 in. (78 cm) between the inside of the front door and the inside of the rear door.
Cabinet airflow requirements	When you mount the device in a cabinet, ensure that ventilation through the cabinet is sufficient to prevent overheating, as follows: Ensure adequate cool air supply to dissipate the thermal output of the device or devices. Ensure that the hot air exhaust of the chassis exits the cabinet without recirculating into the device. An open cabinet (without a top or doors) that employs hot air exhaust extraction from the top ensures the best airflow through the chassis. If the cabinet contains a top or doors, perforations in these elements assist with removing the hot air exhaust. Install the device in the cabinet in a way that maximizes the open space on the side of the chassis that has the hot air exhaust. Route and secure all cables to minimize the blockage of airflow to and from the chassis. Ensure that the spacing of rails and adjacent cabinets is such that proper clearance exists around the device and cabinet. A cabinet larger than the minimum required provides better airflow and reduces the chance of overheating.

Clearance Requirements for Hardware Maintenance for EX4400 Switches

When planning the site for installing an EX4400 switch, follow these clearance requirements (see Figure 1):

For the cooling system to function properly, ensure that the airflow around the chassis is unrestricted.
If you are mounting the switch on a rack or cabinet along with other equipment, ensure that the hot air exhaust from other equipment does not blow into the cold air intake vents of the chassis.
Leave at least 6 in. (15.2 cm) clearance in front of and behind the chassis.
NEBS GR-63 recommends that you allow at least 30 in. (76.2 cm) in front of the rack or cabinet and 24 in. (61 cm) behind the rack or cabinet.
Leave at least 24 in. (61 cm) clearance in front of and behind the switch for service personnel to remove and install hardware components.

Figure 1: Clearance Requirements for Hardware Maintenance for EX4400 Switches

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