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Dell MD1280 Storage Enclosure
Getting Started Guide
Regulatory Model: SP-2584, E11J
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Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you
how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
Copyright © 2015 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and
intellectual property laws. Dell™ and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other
jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.
2015 - 03
Rev. A01
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Installation and configuration
WARNING: Before completing the following tasks, review the safety instructions that came with
the system.
NOTE: The system is intended for restricted access location.
Installation safety precautions
When mounting an enclosure in a rack, you must follow the safety requirements listed here.
• The rack construction must be capable of supporting the total weight of the installed enclosure(s) and
the design must incorporate stabilizing features suitable to prevent the rack tipping, or being pushed
over during installation or in normal use.
• When loading a rack with enclosures, load the enclosures into the rack from bottom and remove the
enclosures from the top.
• To avoid danger of a rack toppling over, do not slide more than one enclosure out of the rack at a
time.
• The system must be operated with low pressure rear exhaust installation [back pressure created by
rack doors and obstacles not to exceed 5 Pascals (0.5 mm water gauge)].
• The rack design must consider the maximum operating ambient temperature for the unit, which is
35°C.
• The rack must have a safe electrical distribution system. It must provide over-current protection for
the unit and must not be overloaded by the total number of units installed in the rack. When resolving
these issues, consider the electrical power consumption rating displayed on the name plate.
• The electrical distribution system must provide a reliable ground for each unit in the rack.
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NOTE:
Heavy weight warning.
A fully configured MD1280 enclosure weighs up
to 103.7 kg (287.5 lbs). An unpopulated
enclosure weighs 64 kg (141 lb). Use appropriate
lifting methods.
High temperature warning.
The operating temperature inside the enclosure
can reach up to 60° C (140 °F). Be careful when
opening drive drawers and removing carriers.
Electrical disconnection warning.
Indicates that all electrical supply connections
to the enclosure should be disconnected before
proceeding.
Unpacking the system
NOTE: Unpacking, installing, and deploying your Dell Storage must be carried out only by a certified
service technician.
Before you begin, make sure the site where you intend to set up and use the Dell Storage has the
following:
• 208 V power from an independent source or a rack power distribution unit with a UPS (110 V power
will not work.).
• A 5U space in the lower 20U of the rack. If planning to install above the 20U mark, a customerprovided mechanical lift must be made available.
Installation overview
The installation process includes the following general tasks.
CAUTION: 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. Therefore, install the
equipment in an environment compatible with the maximum ambient temperature (Tma)
specified by the manufacturer. For more information, see the Technical Specifications section in
this document.
1. Assemble the rails following the safety instructions and the rack installation instructions provided
with your system.
2. Unpack the enclosure.
WARNING: Two people using lift straps are required to avoid injury.
3. Install the enclosures into the rack.
• Always load the rack from the bottom for weight stability.
• If you have fewer than the maximum number of enclosures, you can allow room for expansion.
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WARNING: If installing above the lower 20U of a rack, a customer-provided mechanical
lift must be used to avoid injury.
4. Insert each disk drive in carrier (DDIC) into the enclosure one at a time.
• Protect the hard drive from static discharge.
• Handle DDICs by the edges of the frame.
CAUTION: If the enclosure system operates for too long (depending on altitude) with drive
drawers open, the enclosure can overheat, causing power failure and data loss. Such use may
invalidate the warranty.
5. Close the drive drawers after adding all DDICs.
Figure 1. Installing enclosure in a rack
1. Drawer release (2) — One on each side of
drawer. Releases the open-drawer locks.
a. Pull and hold both drive drawers releases, and then slightly push the drawers inside.
b. Release and push the drive drawers in until it clicks into place.
WARNING: After releasing the open-drawer locks, move hands away from the slides before
pushing the drawer in to avoid injury.
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