What is a fundamental practice to prevent static electricity damage when handling computer components?

What is a fundamental practice to prevent static electricity damage when handling computer components?

• A. Wearing an ESD wrist strap
• B. Wearing latex gloves
• C. Grounding via a metal desk clamp
• D. Discharging static by touching metal a few times

Answer: (A)

Preventing static discharge when handling sensitive computer components comes from keeping your body at the same electrical potential as the components. An ESD wrist strap accomplishes this by continuously grounding you to the earth through a resistor, so any built‑up charge is drained away as you work. This is the most reliable way to prevent a damaging spark during handling. Other options don’t provide the same level of protection. Latex gloves don’t ground you and can even introduce static or reduce control. Grounding via a metal desk clamp might not connect to a proper earth ground or stay continuously connected. Discharging static by touching metal a few times is unreliable and often too late to prevent a discharge while you’re manipulating parts.

Preventing static discharge when handling sensitive computer components comes from keeping your body at the same electrical potential as the components. An ESD wrist strap accomplishes this by continuously grounding you to the earth through a resistor, so any built‑up charge is drained away as you work. This is the most reliable way to prevent a damaging spark during handling.

Other options don’t provide the same level of protection. Latex gloves don’t ground you and can even introduce static or reduce control. Grounding via a metal desk clamp might not connect to a proper earth ground or stay continuously connected. Discharging static by touching metal a few times is unreliable and often too late to prevent a discharge while you’re manipulating parts.