Wearing gloves in cellphone maintenance is essential to prevent damage to delicate electronic components and protect the device from contaminants. Here's why gloves are important in cellphone maintenance, and the risks associated with static electricity:

1. Preventing Contamination: Dust, oils, and other contaminants on your hands can transfer to the cellphone components, potentially causing malfunctions. Gloves act as a barrier, preventing these contaminants from coming into contact with sensitive parts.

2. Avoiding Damage from Skin Oils: The natural oils on your skin can corrode metal contacts and damage sensitive electronic parts over time. Wearing gloves prevents direct contact, preserving the integrity of the components.

3. Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge (ESD): ESD is a major concern in electronics maintenance. When you touch electronic components without proper grounding, you can build up static electricity. If discharged, even a small amount of static electricity can damage or destroy sensitive electronics. This is why anti-static gloves are commonly used in cellphone maintenance.

Risks of Static Electricity:

1. Damage to Components: Electronic components in cellphones are extremely sensitive to static electricity. A discharge as low as 10 volts can cause damage, even if you don't feel it. This damage may not be immediately apparent and could lead to the gradual degradation of the device.

2. Data Loss: Static electricity can interfere with the data stored on the phone's memory, potentially leading to data corruption or loss.

3. Increased Failure Rate: Devices that have been subjected to static electricity during maintenance or repairs might have a higher failure rate over time, leading to unexpected malfunctions or complete failure.

4. Warranty Void: If it's discovered that a device was damaged due to improper handling (such as ESD damage), it might void the manufacturer's warranty, leaving the owner responsible for repair or replacement costs.

To prevent the risks associated with static electricity, technicians often wear anti-static gloves and wrist straps that are connected to grounded surfaces, ensuring any built-up charge is safely dissipated. By taking proper precautions, such as wearing gloves and using anti-static equipment, technicians can minimize the risks associated with static electricity and safely handle delicate cellphone components during maintenance and repair processes.