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 I/O module ethernet switches supported in respective ethernet switch ports of the I/O base; and

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

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

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

wherein the at least two I/O modules operate redundantly in parallel with respect to each other; and

wherein the at least two Ethernet switches establish and maintain redundant Ethernet backplane networks independent with respect to each other.

2. The I/O device of claim 1 , wherein the at least two I/O modules, at least two I/O module 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 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.

4. The I/O device of claim 3 , further comprising 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.

5. The I/O device of claim 4 , wherein the ground screw restricts movement of the lock-out toggle to the second position when the ground screw is in the unsecured position.

6. The I/O device of claim 5 , 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.

7. The I/O module of claim 6 , 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.

8. The I/O device of claim 3 , further comprising a biasing member for biasing the ground screw towards the unsecured position.

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

at least one I/O module slot for receiving an I/O module therein;

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

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

10. The I/O base of claim 9 , wherein the fastener restricts movement of the lock-out toggle to the second position when the fastener is in the unsecured position.

11. The I/O base of claim 9 , 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 fastener is secured and the lock-out toggle is rotated to the second position.

12. The I/O base of claim 11 , wherein the lock-out toggle is supported on the I/O base in a location between at least two I/O module slots and at least partially blocks a portion of each of I/O module slot when in the first position.

13. The I/O base of claim 9 , further comprising a biasing member for biasing the fastener towards the unsecured position.

14. The I/O base of claim 9 , wherein the fastener is a ground screw.

15. The I/O base of claim 9 , further comprising at least one ethernet switch port for receiving an ethernet switch.

16. The I/O base of claim 14 , further comprising at least one terminal block port for receiving at least a portion of a terminal block.

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

placing an I/O base on the support;

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

moving 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 fastener includes moving the ground fastener from an unsecured position blocking movement of the lock-out toggle to a secured position not blocking movement of the lock-out toggle.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising installing an I/O module in the I/O module slot after the grounding fastener is secured to the associated support and the lock-out toggle is moved to the second position.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising installing at least one ethernet switch in an ethernet switch port of the I/O base.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising installing at least one terminal block in a terminal block port of the I/O base.