Rack mounting safety and installation considerations

• Physical location and spacing
  • Install equipment in Restricted Access Areas only (dedicated equipment rooms/closets) in accordance with Articles 110-16, 110‑17, and 110-18 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.
  • To ensure proper ventilation and air flow for units, provide at least 30 cm (1 ft) of clearance on all sides for each unit.
  • Distribute weight evenly in the rack to avoid overloading.

• Temperature

  • If installed in a closed or multi-unit rack assembly, the operating ambient temperature of the rack environment may be greater than room ambient temperature. Install rack-mounted equipment in an environment compatible with the manufacturer’s maximum rated ambient temperature (Tmra).
  • For a rack setup with forced air, the device can run 0° C to 50° C (41 °F to 122 °F) with no extra space above or below the device (default design of the Digi Passport device rack provides 2 mm (0.04 in) between devices).
  • For a rack setup with no forced air, make sure the air in-between devices does not get warmer than 50° C (122 °F). You can do this by providing space between the devices, controlling the ambient temperature on the rack, distributing weight evenly in the rack to avoid overloading, checking equipment nameplate ratings before connecting to the supply circuit, and maintaining reliable earthing of the rack-mounted equipment.
• Power and wiring
  • This equipment is for indoor use and all communication wiring is limited to the inside of the building.
  • Locate the DC supply source within the same premises as the equipment.
  • Check equipment nameplate ratings before connecting to the supply circuit to avoid overloads that may damage over-current protection devices and supply wiring.
  • Maintain reliable earthing of rack-mounted equipment. Pay particular attention to supply connections other than direct connections to the branch circuit.
  • Connect equipment to a DC supply source (reliably earthed) that is electrically isolated from the AC source.
  • Directly connect the equipment chassis to the DC supply system-grounding electrode conductor or a bonding jumper from a grounding terminal bar (or bus) that is connected to the DC supply system grounding electrode conductor.
  • Contain equipment that has a connection between the grounded conductor of the same DC supply circuit, the grounding conductor, and also the point of grounding for the DC system in the same immediate area. Do not ground the equipment elsewhere.
  • Route away and secure all DC input wiring from sharp edges to prevent chaffing as well as to provide strain relief.
  • Provide a readily accessible disconnect device and protective device a fixed wiring for a DC power supply suitable for the specified voltage and current rating. Disconnect and protective devices to be rated 2A Amps maximum.