When servicing electronic equipment it is important to use ____ to prevent static electricity damage.

• A. rubber gloves
• B. insulated tools
• C. a residual- current device
• D. a grounded mat

Answer: (D)

Preventing static electricity buildup and discharge is essential when handling sensitive electronics. A grounded mat provides a low-resistance path to earth, keeping your body and the work surface at the same potential as the device. This dissipates any static charge gradually rather than letting a sudden discharge damage delicate components. The mat is typically used with a grounding cord and sometimes with a wrist strap to maintain that safe reference to ground.

Rubber gloves can insulate and trap charges rather than drain them, so they don’t help with static discharge. Insulated tools shield you from shock but don’t provide a path to ground for static charges. A residual-current device protects against electrical shock from live mains, not static electricity control.