Can ac current affect a printers brain ?

Thread Starter

t00t

Joined Jan 22, 2015
73
Due to the fact the ac voltages can be high and low . Is it possible for high voltage to kill a printers chip ( brain ) .
 

Thread Starter

t00t

Joined Jan 22, 2015
73
How many times did you ask this?
Please ignore the other post there was a lag as i am using a laggy phone . Anyway yes i ment voltage surges from ac power source can it affect the printers chip to a extend of spoiling it ?
 

mcgyvr

Joined Oct 15, 2009
5,394
Yes voltages outside of what a product has been designed for can cause damage.. This goes for any electronic device not just a printer..
 

ian field

Joined Oct 27, 2012
6,536
Please ignore the other post there was a lag as i am using a laggy phone . Anyway yes i ment voltage surges from ac power source can it affect the printers chip to a extend of spoiling it ?
Most people just buy an 8 way surge protected outlet strip and plug all their computer stuff into that - it also means you can unplug everything by pulling just one plug, handy if there's a thunderstorm overnight.

These surge protectors usually use metal oxide varistors (MOV) - you have to remember that the MOV takes a hit every time clamps a surge. The MOV can chip away round the edges, reducing its mass - or shatter completely! You should open them up and inspect the MOV every few months and after any bad thunderstorm.
 

AnalogKid

Joined Aug 1, 2013
12,130
It is possible, but it isn't very common. There are tens (hundreds?) of millions of printers in use around the world, and very few die due to power quality issues. Still, an external surge suppressor is low cost insurance.

ak
 

ian field

Joined Oct 27, 2012
6,536
It is possible, but it isn't very common. There are tens (hundreds?) of millions of printers in use around the world, and very few die due to power quality issues. Still, an external surge suppressor is low cost insurance.

ak
Last time I checked - I could buy a new printer cheaper than a set of replacement ink cartridges.

The one big flaw with that plan; they don't completely fill the cartridges they put in new printers!

All my printers now, were scrounged on free recycling groups - if the cartridges don't take well to DIY re-filling, I scrap the printer and scrounge something different.
 

Thread Starter

t00t

Joined Jan 22, 2015
73
Hmm ... so most printers have a voltage regulator in them ? Thus saving them from voltage surges ?
 

alfacliff

Joined Dec 13, 2013
2,458
there are no printers that run off line voltage only, there is a power supply inside, or inline with the power cord. the chips use dc for supply.
 
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