Computer Repair Safety Tips You Need to Know
When it comes to computer repair, there are some important safety tips you need to know. Taking the right precautions can help ensure you and your computer technician remain safe during the repair.
A good place to start is by following OSHA rules and regulations. These codes are designed to keep your workers safe from various hazards, including those related to hazardous materials and fire protection.
1. Turn Off the Power
If you’re trying to service your computer, make sure that you turn off the power before doing anything. This will prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) that could damage sensitive electronics inside your system.
It may also save you from losing any important files that you were working on during a power cut. A sudden cut can corrupt your data if you use the operating system to edit or save files.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to fix this problem quickly. These tips should get your computer back to normal within minutes!
2. Do Not Touch the Non-Serviceable Components
When repairing a computer, it is important not to touch the non-serviceable components inside. These components may contain high-voltage capacitors that can pack a nasty bite.
Therefore, you should always wait a few minutes after turning off the power before you start working on any hardware inside your computer.
This can help reduce the chances of injury and fire.
3. Wear latex gloves
Another safety tip is to wear latex gloves when working on electronics, especially when dealing with sensitive computer parts. This will help you avoid any injuries and possible loss of critical data and files.
It is also crucial to make sure that you have removed any conductive materials from your hands before you start repairing your device. Metal rings, watches, and bracelets are all potential hazards that can lead to electrocution or fire.
4. Unplug All Power Sources
As you can imagine, power is a big part of any electronics endeavor. It can also be a safety hazard, so you should always unplug all power sources when repairing your computer.
Aside from saving a little battery life, letting go of the plugs can help you avoid damaging your computer’s components or, worse yet, your fingers! This is especially true if you use a mouse or touchpad that requires you to press the buttons for everything.
Two main types of power sources are used in electronics – DC and AC. The former is a fancy acronym for “direct current,” and the latter is more of an umbrella term for various “alternating” currents. While they both have their own specialized gizmos, the best power source for your laptop or tablet is an AC wall outlet. Besides the obvious benefit of providing steady power output without voltage fluctuations, they have other cool things to offer.
5. Do Not Touch the Capacitors
Capacitors are miniature electronic components that store electrical charge during power surges and discharge it during lulls in the power supply. They can be found in a variety of appliances and pieces of electronics.
When repairing a computer, it is essential to remember not to touch the capacitors. They typically retain a small amount of charge a short time after the power is turned off, so it is wise to wait a few minutes before working on or near them.
To test a capacitor, connect both leads of a multimeter to the positive and negative posts of the device. The multimeter will read the voltage between them due to the current passing from one lead to the other.
Large filter capacitors used in switched-mode power supplies, for example, often store a lethal amount of charge that can cause injury or death if not discharged properly. Before working on or near these capacitors, the circuitry must be grounded, and the large capacitors should be discharged using a resistive load.