CompTIA A+ 220-1102 (V14) Practice Question

The correct action is to wear an ESD strap to safely ground the technician's body. This creates a path for any static electricity to dissipate to the computer's chassis, which is a common ground point, equalizing the electrical potential between the technician and the computer. This prevents a sudden electrostatic discharge from the technician to the sensitive RAM modules.

While disconnecting the computer from power is a vital personal safety step to prevent electrical shock, it does not by itself prevent static buildup on the technician's body. Placing the workstation on an ESD mat is helpful, but grounding the person directly handling the components with a wrist strap is the primary line of defense. Using insulating rubber gloves is incorrect as they prevent static charge from dissipating safely and can make an ESD event more likely.