Oklahoma Locksmith Practice Exam

How can a technician prevent damage to an electronic circuit board?

1. Use insulated tools

2. Keep the board dry

3. Discharge static electricity

4. Limit exposure to sunlight

The correct answer is: Discharge static electricity

To prevent damage to an electronic circuit board, discharging static electricity is crucial. Electronic circuit boards are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can occur when a charged object comes into contact with vulnerable components on the board. ESD can cause immediate damage to the circuits or degrade their performance over time. By discharging static electricity before handling the board, such as by grounding oneself or using an ESD strap, a technician can mitigate the risk of this kind of damage. While using insulated tools, keeping the board dry, and limiting exposure to sunlight are all important practices for maintaining electronic equipment, they do not specifically address the sensitivity of circuit boards to static electricity. Insulated tools help prevent electrical shorts but do not eliminate static build-up. Keeping the board dry is essential for preventing corrosion or short-circuiting from moisture but does not relate directly to ESD. Limiting exposure to sunlight is also beneficial for protecting materials on the board from UV damage, but again, it does not prevent static discharge. Thus, discharging static electricity directly targets a major risk factor for electronic circuit boards, making it the appropriate preventive measure.