Why is a ground connection through the use of a wrist strap or floor mat important when working with computer components?
A) Modern personal computers require a constant ground point to prevent data loss.
B) The ground connection protects against electrocution during the maintenance process.
C) The ground connection normalizes the electrical potential between the technician and the components, minimizing the chances of static electricity discharge.
D) The use of a grounding strap is a myth. Ground straps provide no practical use.
Answer: C) The ground connection normalizes the electrical potential between the technician and the components, minimizing the chances of static electricity discharge.
When you’re working with electronics, the components are very sensitive to static electricity. By connecting yourself and your electronics to a common ground point, you lower the chance that the static electricity will move between you and the electronics and cause damage.
The incorrect answers:
A) Modern personal computers require a constant ground point to prevent data loss.
If this were true, we’d all have to connect ourselves to a solid ground point before we ever touched a computer. Although static electric discharges can cause problems with the internals of systems, a ground isn’t required for normal computer use.
B) The ground connection protects against electrocution during the maintenance process.
There’s only one thing that prevents electrocution, and that’s avoiding electricity. If you are working on any components, you should always be certain that the power source is no longer connected. Always disconnect the power cord before doing any work inside of a system. Always.
D) The use of a grounding strap is a myth. Ground straps provide no practical use.
I’ve had otherwise reasonable IT professionals discount static protection as if it were some kind of voodoo magic. Just because you swapped some components out without any negative impact doesn’t mean you weren’t putting the components at risk. The best way to prevent static discharge is through a wrist strap or a grounding pad or mat. Don’t let anyone tell you differently!
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Need more information on electrostatic discharge? Watch “Preventing Electrostatic Discharge”Static electricity can cause serious damage electronic components. Fortunately, there are some products and techniques that can help prevent electrostatic discharge. In this CompTIA A+ training module, we’ll learn about electrostatic discharge and discuss some products that can be used in your work environment to help prevent the buildup and discharge of static electricity. We’ll also compare ESD to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and show how troubleshoot and eliminate sources of EMI. |