ACMT Tools, Safety & ESD Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct procedure for handling a swollen lithium-polymer battery found during a Mac repair?
- Puncture the battery to release pressure, then dispose
- Do not puncture or compress; place in a fire-proof container, handle with care, and follow local hazardous waste disposal procedures (Correct answer)
- Recharge it to normalize the cell pressure
- Freeze it overnight then install the replacement
Correct answer: Do not puncture or compress; place in a fire-proof container, handle with care, and follow local hazardous waste disposal procedures
Swollen LiPo batteries are a fire and explosion hazard; they must never be punctured, compressed, or charged, and must be disposed of according to local hazardous material regulations.
Question 2: Why must a technician disconnect the battery before working on a MacBook's logic board?
- To prevent the Mac from waking during repair
- To eliminate the risk of short circuits and component damage from residual current while handling circuit board components (Correct answer)
- To allow the RAM to be removed safely
- To prevent data loss on the SSD
Correct answer: To eliminate the risk of short circuits and component damage from residual current while handling circuit board components
Even with the MacBook powered off, the battery provides voltage that can flow through the board; disconnecting it eliminates the risk of short circuits that can destroy components.
Question 3: Which chemical solution is approved for cleaning logic board contamination (such as liquid damage residue) on Macs?
- Tap water with dish soap
- 99% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) applied with an ESD-safe brush (Correct answer)
- WD-40 lubricant spray
- Acetone
Correct answer: 99% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) applied with an ESD-safe brush
99% isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly without leaving residue and is safe for PCBs, making it the approved cleaner for liquid damage corrosion on Mac logic boards.
Question 4: What personal protective equipment (PPE) should a technician wear when cleaning a liquid-damaged Mac?
- No PPE is needed since electronics are low voltage
- Nitrile gloves and eye protection to protect from chemical residue and isopropyl alcohol (Correct answer)
- Full chemical hazmat suit
- Just safety glasses
Correct answer: Nitrile gloves and eye protection to protect from chemical residue and isopropyl alcohol
Nitrile gloves protect skin from corrosive residue and IPA, while eye protection prevents chemical splashes, making both necessary for liquid damage cleaning procedures.
Question 5: A technician is using a spudger during a MacBook repair. What is the primary purpose of this tool?
- Tightening small screws
- Prying apart components and routing cables without causing ESD or scratching delicate surfaces (Correct answer)
- Cutting adhesive tape
- Measuring component resistance
Correct answer: Prying apart components and routing cables without causing ESD or scratching delicate surfaces
A spudger is a non-conductive, non-marring plastic or nylon tool used to pry, route, and lift cables and connectors without scratching surfaces or creating ESD damage.
Question 6: When should a technician use tweezers with serrated tips versus flat tips during a Mac repair?
- Serrated for connectors, flat for screws
- Serrated for gripping small screws and parts securely; flat for handling delicate components like flex cables to avoid tearing (Correct answer)
- They are interchangeable
- Flat for all Mac repairs; serrated only for PC repairs
Correct answer: Serrated for gripping small screws and parts securely; flat for handling delicate components like flex cables to avoid tearing
Serrated tweezers grip small screws and nuts securely, while smooth or flat-tipped tweezers are used for delicate flex cables and foil components to prevent damage.
ACMT Tools, Safety & ESD Procedures 2
What is the correct procedure for handling a swollen lithium-polymer battery found during a Mac repair?