Specifications
2-9
PA-T3+ Serial Port Adapter Installation and Configuration
OL-3505-03
Chapter 2 Preparing for Installation
Safety Guidelines
• Do not perform any action that creates a potential hazard to people or makes the equipment unsafe; 
carefully examine your work area for possible hazards such as moist floors, ungrounded power 
extension cables, and missing safety grounds. 
Telephone Wiring Guidelines
Use the following guidelines when working with any equipment that is connected to telephone wiring or 
to other network cabling:
• Never install telephone wiring during a lightning storm.
• Never install telephone jacks in wet locations unless the jack is specifically designed for wet 
locations.
• Never touch uninsulated telephone wires or terminals unless the telephone line has been 
disconnected at the network interface.
• Use caution when installing or modifying telephone lines.
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage, which can occur when electronic cards or components are 
improperly handled, results in complete or intermittent failures. Port adapters and processor modules 
consist of printed circuit boards that are fixed in metal carriers. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) 
shielding and connectors are integral components of the carrier. Although the metal carrier helps to 
protect the board from ESD, use a preventive antistatic strap during handling.
Following are guidelines for preventing ESD damage:
• 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 any available ejector levers or captive installation screws 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 any available ejector levers or captive installation screws 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 board component-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 protects components 
from ESD voltages on the body only; ESD voltages on clothing can still cause damage.
• Never attempt to remove the printed circuit board from the metal carrier.
Caution For safety, periodically check the resistance value of the antistatic strap. The measurement should be 
between 1 and 10 megohms (Mohm).










