- A
Proceed with installing the new power supply and ignore the bulging capacitor.
Why wrong: A bulging capacitor is a safety hazard and can cause system instability or failure; ignoring it is irresponsible.
- B
Use a screwdriver to short the capacitor leads to discharge it.
Why wrong: Shorting a capacitor with a screwdriver can cause a spark, loud pop, and potential injury; proper discharge uses a resistor or specialized tool.
- C
Wear insulated gloves and carefully remove the motherboard for replacement.
Insulated gloves protect against shock, and replacing the motherboard removes the hazard entirely, which is the safest approach.
- D
Apply electrical tape over the bulging capacitor to contain it.
Why wrong: Tape does not neutralize the electrical charge or prevent the capacitor from leaking or bursting; it is not a safe solution.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to wear insulated gloves and carefully remove the motherboard for replacement. A bulging capacitor on a motherboard indicates internal failure, where the electrolyte has broken down and produced gas, swelling the can. This compromised component can leak conductive, corrosive fluid or even burst, risking short circuits, chemical burns, or electric shock, so the safest field response is to replace the entire board rather than attempt an unsafe repair. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hardware safety and component-level failure recognition—a common trap is choosing to simply “replace the capacitor” or “ignore it,” which violates safety protocols. Remember the memory tip: “Bulge means barge” — if the top is bulging, the whole board is getting the barge out.
220-1202 Safety Procedures and Compliance Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of safety procedures and compliance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is replacing a damaged power supply in a desktop PC. After removing the old unit, the technician notices a large capacitor on the motherboard is bulging. What should the technician do to safely handle this situation?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Wear insulated gloves and carefully remove the motherboard for replacement.
A bulging capacitor indicates a failed or failing component that can leak electrolyte, cause further damage, or even burst. The safest course is to wear insulated gloves to avoid electric shock or chemical exposure and replace the entire motherboard, as the capacitor cannot be safely repaired in the field. Ignoring it or attempting makeshift fixes risks short circuits, fire, or injury.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Proceed with installing the new power supply and ignore the bulging capacitor.
Why it's wrong here
A bulging capacitor is a safety hazard and can cause system instability or failure; ignoring it is irresponsible.
- ✗
Use a screwdriver to short the capacitor leads to discharge it.
Why it's wrong here
Shorting a capacitor with a screwdriver can cause a spark, loud pop, and potential injury; proper discharge uses a resistor or specialized tool.
- ✓
Wear insulated gloves and carefully remove the motherboard for replacement.
Why this is correct
Insulated gloves protect against shock, and replacing the motherboard removes the hazard entirely, which is the safest approach.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Apply electrical tape over the bulging capacitor to contain it.
Why it's wrong here
Tape does not neutralize the electrical charge or prevent the capacitor from leaking or bursting; it is not a safe solution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think a bulging capacitor is harmless or can be safely discharged with a screwdriver, but the exam tests the correct safety protocol of replacing the damaged component with proper personal protective equipment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Electrolytic capacitors fail due to age, heat, or voltage stress, causing the internal electrolyte to vaporize and the can to bulge. Even after the system is unplugged, capacitors in the power supply or motherboard can hold a charge for hours; the large capacitor on the motherboard is likely part of the VRM (voltage regulator module) and may store enough energy to cause a painful shock. In a real-world scenario, a bulging capacitor should be treated as a hazardous component, and the motherboard should be replaced to ensure system reliability and safety.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Safety Procedures and Compliance — This question tests Safety Procedures and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Wear insulated gloves and carefully remove the motherboard for replacement. — A bulging capacitor indicates a failed or failing component that can leak electrolyte, cause further damage, or even burst. The safest course is to wear insulated gloves to avoid electric shock or chemical exposure and replace the entire motherboard, as the capacitor cannot be safely repaired in the field. Ignoring it or attempting makeshift fixes risks short circuits, fire, or injury.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.
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