Input/output system

1. An I/O device comprising:

an I/O base;

at least two I/O modules supported in respective I/O module slots of the I/O base;

at least two ethernet switches supported in respective ethernet switch ports of the I/O base;

at least one terminal block assembly supported on the I/O base; and

a lock-out toggle supported adjacent at least one of the I/O module slots of the I/O base, the lock-out toggle movable between a first position at least partially blocking at least one I/O module slot and a second position not blocking the at least one I/O module slot;

wherein the I/O base includes a ground screw configured to be secured to an associated support to which the I/O base is mountable, the ground screw movable between a first unsecured position to a second secured position;

wherein each I/O module is electrically coupled to a respective ethernet switch and terminal block via the I/O base; and

wherein the at least two I/O modules, at least two ethernet switches, and at least one terminal block are removably attached to the I/O base.

2. The I/O device of claim 1 , wherein the at least two I/O modules, at least two ethernet switches, and at least one terminal block are removable from the I/O base along a common axis.

3. The I/O device of claim 1 , wherein the ground screw restricts movement of the lock-out toggle to the second position when the ground screw is in the unsecured position.

4. The I/O device of claim 3 , wherein the lock-out toggle is rotatable between the first and second positions, and wherein the lock-out toggle has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one I/O module slot when the lock-out toggle is in the second position, whereby insertion of an I/O module into the at least I/O module slot is restricted unless the ground screw is secured and the lock-out toggle is rotated to the second position.

5. The I/O module of claim 4 , wherein the lock-out toggle is supported on the I/O base in a location between the I/O module slots and at least partially blocks a portion of each of the I/O module slots when in the first position.

6. The I/O device of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member for biasing the ground screw towards the unsecured position.

7. An I/O base for an I/O device comprising;

at least two I/O module slots for receiving respective removable I/O modules therein;

at least two ethernet switch ports for receiving respective removable ethernet switches;

at least two terminal block ports for receiving at least a portion of a removable terminal block;

a ground screw configured to be secured to an associated support to which the I/O base is mountable, the ground screw movable between a first unsecured position to a second secured position; and

a lock-out toggle supported adjacent at least one of the I/O module slots of the I/O base, the lock-out toggle movable between a first position at least partially blocking at least one I/O module slot and a second position not blocking the at least one I/O module slot.

8. The I/O base of claim 7 , wherein the ground screw restricts movement of the lock-out toggle to the second position when the ground screw is in the unsecured position.

9. The I/O base of claim 8 , wherein the lock-out toggle is rotatable between the first and second positions, and wherein the lock-out toggle has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one I/O module slot when the lock-out toggle is in the second position, whereby insertion of an I/O module into the at least I/O module slot is restricted until the ground screw is secured and the lock-out toggle is rotated to the second position.

10. The I/O base of claim 9 , wherein the lock-out toggle is supported on the I/O base in a location between two I/O module slots and at least partially blocks a portion of each of the two I/O module slots when in the first position.

11. The I/O base of claim 7 , further comprising a biasing member for biasing the ground screw towards the unsecured position.

12. A method of assembling an I/O device on an associated support comprising:

placing an I/O base on the support;

securing a ground screw of the I/O base to the support;

rotating a lock-out toggle from a first position blocking an I/O module slot of the I/O base to a second position not blocking the I/O module slot;

wherein the securing the ground screw includes moving the ground screw from an unsecured position blocking rotation of the lock-out toggle to a secured position not blocking rotation of the lock-out toggle.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising installing an I/O module in the I/O module slot after the grounding screw is secured to the associated support and the lock-out toggle is rotated to the second position.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising installing at least one ethernet switch in an ethernet switch port of the I/O base.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising installing at least one terminal block in a terminal block port of the I/O base.

16. An I/O adapter comprising:

an I/O adapter base;

at least two removable ethernet switches supported on the I/O adapter base;

at least two removable adapter modules supported on the I/O adapter base;

at least two removable media landing modules supported on the I/O adapter base; and

at least two removable power conditioning modules supported on the I/O adapter base.