For example, I just had a problem with my printer where it displayed error message that said the scanner was already in use… except it wasn’t. I looked up a solution, which worked, that in part said:
“The printer should be directly connected to the wall outlet and not to a surge protector.”
How does something like that lead to software hiccups/bugs? What’s the difference?
In: Technology
Some surge protectors can impede some current to the printer. This can cause the electronic parts of the printer to receive less “electricity” than it needs to function properly. Laser printing is very dependant on timing, if the paper isn’t where it is supposed to be when the printer is expecting it to be there it can cause jams. If the motors inside the printer are receiving less current or voltage they will be pushing the paper through at a slower speed. The printer has built in sensors that detect an insufficient current or voltage and gives these errors so the customer experience is consistent.
There’s a number of things that you could actually be plugged in to, a power strip, surge protector, power conditioner, and battery backup.
Generally the first two should not have any impact, the second two depending on how good they are can cause funny things to happen down the line. The manufacturer simplified troubleshooting down to “plug it directly in to the wall” so that people aren’t trying to figure out which of the things it is plugged into. I have seen poorly designed examples of both that struggled to deliver the proper voltage or current, especially when talking about the requirements when something is being turned on.
For a scanner, most of the time it’s in standby and not using much power. When you try and use one of the functions it wakes up the power supply and there’s a moment where it wants way more power than before “NOW!!”. Most devices run a health check during this phase, so if it’s demanding power and the conditioner or battery backup are slow to respond with the necessary voltage/current it can throw an error.
Should it happen? No, but I’ve seen enough equipment act funny when plugged into cheap (or poorly designed expensive like in home audio) power side devices that I don’t blame them. Plus it also forces a lot of people to unplug and repower devices, which is a troubleshooting step many consumers overlook.
Either way just having an extension cord in there shouldn’t make a lick of difference, if the device is actually trying to manipulate the power in some way all bets are off.
Numerous urban myths generate conclusions only based in an emotion. If a power strip restricts current, then it will cause a fire.
That power strip must have a circuit breaker – typically 15 amps. How many amps does that printer demand (always read numbers from a nameplate)? As long as that current is less than 15 amps, full power is always provided.
Third, move on to why that protector is not recommended (by companies run by product people – not by business school graduates). It can compromise what is already better protection inside electronics. An adjacent power strip with protector parts can make surge damage easier. Something completely different (called a surge protector) only does effective protection. That being another topic.
Four, more facts that make their myths obviously bogus. Connect an incandescent bulb to that same power source. Does it dim or brighten? If it does, then poor workmanship may exist in AC power wires. Fix that defect.
Meanwhile, that bulb can dim to 50% intensity or double intensity. Voltages that vary that much as still ideal for all electronics (but can be harmful to what are less robust motorized appliances). That is what a power supply does. AC voltages can vary that much. And internal DC voltages do not vary even 0.2 volts.
Move on to recommendations based in knowledge – not in emotions. A problem with the scanner is an internal problem.
Meanwhile, do that incandescent bulb test yourself. Don’t even take my word for it. Does it vary intensity? If not, that power strip (with or without protector parts) is not obstructing incoming power.
A adjacent power strip with protector parts is not recommended by the technically informed. Only recommended by so many educated only by hearsay, advertising propaganda, speculate, and subjective myths (no spec numbers). Something completely different, called a protector, is recommended. But not to solve your problem.
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