Grounding my server rack
Hi!
I will soon get a server rack, namely the 25U Open Frame Rack from StarTech (https://www.startech.com/de-de/server-management/4postrack25u). This will house my UPS (https://powerwalker.com/product/10121101/), a pfSense firewall, 2 switches and 2 servers (2U ESXi and 4U TrueNAS).
Now my question is about the correct grounding of the rack, as I have seen that the StarTech has a ground connection at the bottom of the frame.
Would it be correct to install a grounding rail (e.g. https://geizhals.de/digitus-professional-potentialEQ-rails-dn-19-earth-l ..) in the rack and then connect it to the ground connection on the rack frame? Is this enough to "ground" (?) the rack at this one point, or does this have to be done at several points?
Do I then also have to connect and ground all servers and switches by connecting it to the rail? I see that some products have a dedicated connector for this, but some don't. How necessary would that be when all equipment is connected to the UPS anyway?
I hope you can help me here. I'm familiar with the software and security side of Homelab, but I don't really understand the hardware and electrical side yet.
I will soon get a server rack, namely the 25U Open Frame Rack from StarTech (https://www.startech.com/de-de/server-management/4postrack25u). This will house my UPS (https://powerwalker.com/product/10121101/), a pfSense firewall, 2 switches and 2 servers (2U ESXi and 4U TrueNAS).
Now my question is about the correct grounding of the rack, as I have seen that the StarTech has a ground connection at the bottom of the frame.
Would it be correct to install a grounding rail (e.g. https://geizhals.de/digitus-professional-potentialEQ-rails-dn-19-earth-l ..) in the rack and then connect it to the ground connection on the rack frame? Is this enough to "ground" (?) the rack at this one point, or does this have to be done at several points?
Do I then also have to connect and ground all servers and switches by connecting it to the rail? I see that some products have a dedicated connector for this, but some don't. How necessary would that be when all equipment is connected to the UPS anyway?
I hope you can help me here. I'm familiar with the software and security side of Homelab, but I don't really understand the hardware and electrical side yet.
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Content-ID: 6943725966
Url: https://rootdb.com/forum/grounding-my-server-rack-6943725966.html
Printed on: May 23, 2025 at 06:05 o'clock
2 Comments
Latest comment
Hi.
It would be advisable/preferable to have an electrician to take a look at the situation.
You could try to do this with Youtube videos to guide you but this is not recommended at all.
Seek the assistance of a certified electrician and you are good to go.
Regards
Marc
It would be advisable/preferable to have an electrician to take a look at the situation.
You could try to do this with Youtube videos to guide you but this is not recommended at all.
Seek the assistance of a certified electrician and you are good to go.
Regards
Marc
Hi @Unshipped9220,
If you then connect this grounding bar with a separate cable (min. 10²) to the nearest equipotential bonding bar, then yes.
If the equipment has a separate ground connection, then you should definitely connect it to the ground rail in the cabinet.
You do not have to ground all devices, as they are already "grounded" via the power cable (PE conductor).
Best regards from BaWü
Alex
Would it be correct to install an equipotential bonding rail (e.g. https://geizhals.de/digitus-professional-potentialausgleichsschienen-dn- ..) in the rack and then connect this to the ground connection on the rack frame? Is it sufficient to "ground" the rack only at this one point (?) or must this be done at several points?
If you then connect this grounding bar with a separate cable (min. 10²) to the nearest equipotential bonding bar, then yes.
Do I then have to connect and ground everything on servers and switches to the rail? I see that some products have a designated connection for this, but some do not.
If the equipment has a separate ground connection, then you should definitely connect it to the ground rail in the cabinet.
How necessary would that be if all devices are connected to the UPS anyway?
You do not have to ground all devices, as they are already "grounded" via the power cable (PE conductor).
Best regards from BaWü
Alex