220-1102 Question 712
Single answerAntistatic bagsA technician receives several replacement laptop Wi-Fi cards and plans to install them later in the day. To reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge while transporting and staging the parts between workstations, which action is the BEST choice?
- A
Place each Wi-Fi card in an antistatic bag until it is ready to be installed
- B
Wrap each Wi-Fi card in bubble wrap and store it on a painted metal shelf
- C
Stack the Wi-Fi cards on top of their cardboard boxes to keep them separated from the bench
- D
Leave the Wi-Fi cards on the workbench and touch the table before handling them
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best answer is to keep each Wi-Fi card in an antistatic bag until installation. Antistatic bags are a fundamental ESD control used to store and transport sensitive components safely. In real support environments, technicians often move replacement parts between inventory, repair benches, and user locations, so shielding parts during that movement is important. CompTIA A+ objectives commonly expect candidates to recognize proper handling and packaging of field-replaceable components. Industry best practices for ESD control also emphasize using appropriate packaging, minimizing unnecessary handling, and combining packaging with grounded work surfaces and wrist straps when components are actually being installed.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Antistatic bags are specifically designed to protect sensitive electronic components from electrostatic discharge during storage and transport. This is a standard best practice for loose field-replaceable parts such as Wi-Fi cards, memory modules, and expansion cards. Keeping the cards in their antistatic packaging until the moment of installation reduces unnecessary exposure to static-generating environments.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Bubble wrap is commonly associated with physical protection, but standard bubble wrap can generate static and is not appropriate for direct ESD protection unless it is specially rated as antistatic. A painted metal shelf also does not provide controlled ESD protection for exposed components.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Cardboard may reduce direct contact with a conductive surface, but it does not provide proper ESD shielding for sensitive electronics. Simply placing components on boxes leaves them exposed to static discharge from people, clothing, and nearby materials.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Touching the table is not a reliable ESD control method, and leaving exposed components on the bench increases the chance of electrostatic damage. Proper handling involves approved ESD controls such as antistatic bags, ESD mats, and grounding methods when applicable.