220-1202 Operational Procedures Study Guide for the CompTIA A+ Core Series Exam

Safety

When dealing with and working on computer components, keep safety at the forefront for the sake of both yourself and the device. The following sections may be delivered as scenario-based questions in the exam environment, so you must be very comfortable with these topics.

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Straps

ESD occurs when two objects with dissimilar charges come into contact with each other. Electrons are exchanged to equalize the charge, resulting in ESD, which can damage sensitive components. ESD straps are small wrist straps that can connect to an ESD mat or an ESD jacket to reduce your electrostatic presence.

ESD Mats

An ESD mat drains excess charges away from items in contact with it. An ESD mat can either be a mat you stand on (floor mat) or a mat you place the equipment on. These ESD mats will reduce ESD risks, and some allow you to attach your ESD wrist strap to them for better protection.

Electrical Safety

Electrical safety refers to the precautions, practices, and protocols used to protect end users and technicians from electrical charges and electricity-related hazards.

Equipment Grounding

Equipment grounding is a way to transport any excess electrical discharge away from the component and into the electrical ground wiring. This is a safety mechanism that is included on all outlets, significantly reducing the risk of electrical shock should there be a fault within the system.

Proper Component Handling and Storage

Technicians must be aware of the proper practices for component handling and storage. Each component comes with safety considerations. Before attempting to handle a component, research the safety measures and concerns pertaining to the component. Properly storing components includes evaluating the environment, such as humidity and temperature, as well as the component’s potential for ESD.

Cable Management

Cable management is a term used to describe the organization of cabling within a network infrastructure. Proper cable management includes correct labeling of each cable at each connection point, clean and untangled running of cables through a site, and proper cable security.

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Antistatic Bags

An antistatic bag is a specially designed, typically pink or silver bag that collects stray static charges on its exterior, preventing the charge from reaching the sensitive components it contains.

Compliance with Government Regulations

When dealing with a networking environment, there are several regulations to keep in mind. These include electrical codes for running high/low-voltage cabling, environmental codes for disposing of chemicals or hardware, fire prevention codes that require the specific use of dry or wet systems, and building codes that specify how cabling can be run through a building.

Personal Safety

Personal safety begins with you. As a technician, you should be aware of and follow best practices for maintaining personal safety. Be familiar with the following guidelines related to personal safety when dealing with computer components.

Disconnect Power

All power sources should be disconnected prior to working inside a computer. Power supplies are typically replaced as a whole rather than in smaller individual parts. Normally, there are no serviceable parts inside, and, therefore, they should not be opened.

Lifting Techniques

Always lift heavy equipment using your legs and not your back, or use multiple people to lift the object.

Fire Safety

For electrical fires, use specialized dry fire prevention or extinguishing chemicals, such as carbon dioxide. Neither wet chemicals nor water should ever be used on electrical fires.

Safety Goggles

Use goggles when working with chemicals, batteries, or printer toner. Safety goggles should also be worn when there is a risk of flying debris or compressed air and when using power tools.

Air Filter Mask

To protect yourself from an environment where dust, smoke, or other air particles exist in the surrounding atmosphere, you should wear a special mask designed to filter out these items. An N95 mask or respirator are the two most common choices.

Environmental Concerns

You should be able to quickly analyze and apply the proper controls for any possible environmental impacts. Some questions in this area will be scenario based.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

The MSDS (or just SDS) outlines the procedures for handling and disposing of hazardous materials. This should be referenced if there is a question about properly disposing of hazardous material. The MSDSs are overseen by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States. Copies are kept locally wherever there might be contact with hazardous materials.

Proper Battery Disposal

The most common batteries used in computers and electronic devices are alkaline, nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), and button cells. The Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act (a.k.a. the Battery Act) provides guidelines on the disposal, collection, and recycling of batteries. All batteries should be recycled with a proper e-waste recycling organization.

Proper Toner Disposal

Toner cartridges should also be recycled. Toner cartridges contain carcinogens and heavy metals, which negatively affect the environment. Specialists that recycle toner cartridges will refurbish and refill the cartridges for further use.

Proper Disposal of Other Devices and Assets

Other devices and assets, such as display devices and mobile devices, should also be sent to an e-waste recycling facility that can safely dispose of or recycle the components. The key takeaway here is that the majority of computer and networking components you may encounter should not be discarded, but rather recycled.

Temperature, Humidity-Level Awareness, and Proper Ventilation

The temperature and humidity in the environment where components are stored should reflect the levels outlined in the SDS. For an electronic environment, it is usually best to balance the humidity as efficiently as possible to avoid extreme condensation or static discharge. It is also important to keep a closed-in area well ventilated so the room does not become too hot when the equipment is running.

Location/Equipment Placement

When you bring in new equipment, always evaluate the location where it will be placed, whether you are dealing with a single, simple device or a large bank of servers or switches. Be aware of potential hazards, such as temperature and ventilation issues, which can occur when the equipment is placed against a wall, as well as tripping hazards or water hazards.

Dust Cleanup

Dust buildup can be highly detrimental to sensitive components, causing them to work less efficiently, overheat, or fail. Dust removal must be approached cautiously to avoid causing more damage to the component than the dust itself. Compressed air and vacuums are common methods of dust removal.

Compressed Air/Vacuums

Compressed air can be used to clean out the inside of computer equipment as well as printers and other electronic devices. It is better to use natural compressed air versus any chemical-based compressed material. If you use a vacuum instead, only specialized anti-static vacuums should be used in electronic environments. These vacuums can help reduce the risk of a static discharge or damage to the component.

Power Events

Power issues can occur at any time and in any location. These can range from total outages to flickers or surges, and they can be devastating to equipment, data, and clients. A power surge occurs when a device receives too much power. An under-voltage event, such as a sag or brownout, occurs when the voltage dips below nominal operating levels for a set period. A power failure is when the voltage completely stops.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

A UPS is used to maintain power to equipment in the event of a power outage or surge when all power can be lost or drop below a certain threshold. The UPS will automatically activate and provide power for the connected equipment via batteries.

Surge Protector/Suppressor

A surge protector (or suppressor) works by checking for spikes in voltage along the line. If a spike is detected, the surge protector moves the excess power to the ground and only allows the proper amount to be passed along to the connected devices.