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Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Hardware Installation Guide
Chapter4 Installing a Cisco Nexus Fabric Extender
Grounding the System
Establishing the System Ground
This section describes how to connect a system ground to the Cisco Nexus 2000 and 2300 Series FEXs.
Note This system ground is also referred to as the network equipment building system (NEBS) ground.
You must use the system (NEBS) ground on AC-powered systems if you are installing this equipment in
a U.S. or European Central Office.
The system (NEBS) ground provides additional grounding for EMI shielding requirements and
grounding for the low-voltage supplies (DC-DC converters) on the devices and is intended to satisfy the
Telcordia Technologies NEBS requirements for supplemental bonding and grounding connections. You
must observe the following system grounding guidelines for your chassis:
•You must install the system (NEBS) ground connection with any other rack or system power ground
connections that you make. The system ground connection is required if this equipment is installed
in a U.S. or European Central Office.
•You must connect both the system (NEBS) ground connection and the power supply ground
connection to an earth ground. The system (NEBS) ground connection is required if this equipment
is installed in a U.S. or European Central Office.
•You do not need to power down the chassis because the Cisco Nexus FEX is equipped with AC-input
power supplies.
Required Tools and Equipment
To connect the system ground, you need the following tools and materials:
•Grounding lug—A two-hole standard barrel lug that supports up to 6 AWG wire. This lug is supplied
as part of accessory kit.
•Grounding screws—Two M4 x 8mm (metric) pan-head screws. The screws are supplied as part of
the accessory kit.
•Grounding wire—Not supplied as part of the accessory kit. The grounding wire should be sized
according to local and national installation requirements. Depending on the power supply and
system, a 12 AWG to 6 AWG copper conductor is required for U.S. installations. Commercially
available 6 AWG wire is recommended. The length of the grounding wire depends on the proximity
of the device to proper grounding facilities.
•No. 1 Phillips screwdriver.
•Crimping tool to crimp the grounding wire to the grounding lug.
•Wire-stripping tool to remove the insulation from the grounding wire.