- A
Put on anti-static wrist strap and grounding mat.
Why wrong: While anti-static measures are important, they do not protect against electric shock from the power supply. The primary safety step is to disconnect power.
- B
Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
This is the correct first step to prevent electric shock. It ensures no power is flowing to the components.
- C
Press the power button to discharge residual power.
Why wrong: Pressing the power button may discharge some capacitors, but it is not a substitute for unplugging the power cord. The power supply can still be dangerous.
- D
Wear safety goggles to protect eyes from debris.
Why wrong: Safety goggles are useful when working with tools that may create debris, but they do not address the primary electrical hazard. Unplugging power is the priority.
Quick Answer
The answer is to unplug the power cord from the wall outlet because this is the only step that guarantees complete disconnection from the AC mains, eliminating the risk of electric shock from the power supply unit’s internal capacitors, which can retain a lethal charge even when the computer is off and unplugged from the system itself. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this principle tests your understanding of electrical safety as a technician’s first priority—before any anti-static or grounding measures. A common trap is to assume that turning off the power switch or wearing an anti-static wrist strap is sufficient, but neither addresses the high-voltage hazard inside the PSU. For a quick memory tip, remember “Plug first, then unplug”: always verify the cord is physically disconnected from the wall before you ever touch a screwdriver.
220-1102 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 customer reports that their computer is emitting a loud, continuous beep and the monitor shows no display. The technician suspects a hardware issue. What is the most important safety step to take before opening the case?
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
Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
The most important safety step before opening a computer case is to unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. This ensures complete disconnection from the AC mains, eliminating the risk of electric shock from exposed internal components, such as the power supply unit (PSU) capacitors, which can hold a dangerous charge even when the system is off. While other steps like wearing an anti-static wrist strap are good practices, they do not address the primary hazard of lethal voltage.
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.
- ✗
Put on anti-static wrist strap and grounding mat.
Why it's wrong here
While anti-static measures are important, they do not protect against electric shock from the power supply. The primary safety step is to disconnect power.
- ✓
Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
Why this is correct
This is the correct first step to prevent electric shock. It ensures no power is flowing to the components.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Press the power button to discharge residual power.
Why it's wrong here
Pressing the power button may discharge some capacitors, but it is not a substitute for unplugging the power cord. The power supply can still be dangerous.
- ✗
Wear safety goggles to protect eyes from debris.
Why it's wrong here
Safety goggles are useful when working with tools that may create debris, but they do not address the primary electrical hazard. Unplugging power is the priority.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse ESD prevention (anti-static wrist strap) with electrical safety, or they think pressing the power button is a substitute for unplugging the power cord, when in fact the power button discharge step is only safe after the cord is removed.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The primary electrical hazard inside a computer is the power supply unit (PSU), which contains large filter capacitors that can store a charge of several hundred volts even after the system is powered off. Unplugging the power cord from the wall outlet breaks the circuit at the source, ensuring no AC current can flow; however, residual charge in the capacitors must still be discharged by pressing the power button (with the cord unplugged) before touching internal components. In real-world scenarios, a technician might encounter a system that appears off but has a faulty PSU that still holds a lethal charge, making the unplugging step non-negotiable.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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: Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. — The most important safety step before opening a computer case is to unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. This ensures complete disconnection from the AC mains, eliminating the risk of electric shock from exposed internal components, such as the power supply unit (PSU) capacitors, which can hold a dangerous charge even when the system is off. While other steps like wearing an anti-static wrist strap are good practices, they do not address the primary hazard of lethal voltage.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1202
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A customer reports that their computer shuts down unexpectedly after a few minutes of use. The system feels hot to the touch, and the fan is running loudly. What is the most appropriate first step for a technician to take to ensure safety while diagnosing the issue?
easy- A.Immediately open the case and touch the CPU heatsink to check temperature.
- ✓ B.Unplug the computer, let it cool for 30 minutes, then inspect for dust or fan failure.
- C.Spray compressed air into the vents while the system is running to clear dust.
- D.Replace the power supply unit immediately to fix the overheating.
Why B: This question tests knowledge of electrical safety and proper handling of overheated equipment. The correct answer is to unplug the computer to prevent electrical shock or fire, then allow it to cool before inspecting internal components. Attempting to open a hot system or ignoring the heat can lead to injury or further damage.
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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