Preventing ESD Damage

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage occurs when electronic cards or components are improperly handled and can result in complete or intermittent failures. Follow the guidelines below to prevent ESD damage:

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

• When handling a module or coming into contact with any internal components, always use a wrist strap connected to one of the following:

  • Captive installation screws on an installed module or power supply

  • ESD wrist strap connector (see Figure C-1 for the connector location on the Catalyst 2926 switch)

  • Any unpainted surface on the chassis

• Handle cards by the edges only.

• Avoid contact between the module and clothing. The wrist strap protects only the card from ESD voltages on the body; ESD voltages on clothing can still cause damage.

• After removing a supervisor engine or switching module, place it on an antistatic surface or in a static shielding bag. If you plan to return the module to the factory, immediately place it in a static shielding bag.

Caution  Periodically check the resistance value of the antistatic strap. The measurement should be between 1 and 10 megohms (Mohms).

Figure C-1: ESD Wrist Strap Connector Location