18S400 & S600 User’s Guide

AC Power ON/OFF Switch

This switch is located on the left side of the printer near the AC power cord and fuse (see Figure 6). The AC power switch should be turned off before connecting or disconnecting any cables.

Turning the switch on activates the printer and causes it to perform a Power ON Self Test, which can take up to 30 seconds, as it begins operation. Turning the printer power on while holding down certain front panel keys will activate additional printer self tests following the Power ON Self Test. See Troubleshooting.

External influences, such as lightning storms or unwanted noise on the power or data cables, may cause erratic printer behavior. Turning the AC power off and back on may re-establish proper printer operation. Otherwise, see Troubleshooting.

Printing a Test Label

Before you connect the printer to your computer, make sure that the printer is in proper working order. You can do this by printing a configuration label (refer to the “CANCEL Key Self Test” in Troubleshooting.) If you can’t get this label to print, refer to Troubleshooting.

To make print quality adjustments, refer to “Print Quality Adjustments” in Routine Care and Adjustments.

Connecting the Printer and Computer

This printer comes with both a nine-pin Electronics Industries Association (EIA) RS-232 serial data interface and an IEEE 1284 bi-directional parallel data interface. In either case, you must supply the required interface cable for your application.

CAUTION: This printer complies with FCC “Rules and Regulations,” Part 15, for Class B Equipment, using fully shielded six-foot data cables. Use of longer cables or unshielded cables may increase radiated emissions above the Class B limits.

RS-232 Interface Requirements

Refer to Figure 6.

The required cable must have a 9-pin “D” type (DB-9P) connector (male) on one end, which is plugged into the mating (DB-9S) connector (female) located inside the access opening on the left side of the printer.

The other end of the signal interface cable connects to a serial port at the host computer. This cable will be one of two types -- standard or null modem -- depending on the specific interface requirements.