Printer and Paper Storage Environment on Dell Laser Printers

Printer Storage Environment on Dell Laser Printers

The printer should be placed on a flat stable surface. Choose a flat surface with enough space for the ventilation openings to not be obstructed by walls or other objects. Also consider the space required to open the cover and trays.

The printer should be placed in an area that is free from dust, humidity, or water leaks. The placement should be well ventilated and be far from direct light, and heat.

Items should not be placed on the top of the machine.

Make sure you plug the power cable into a grounded electrical outlet and that the contact surface of the plug is free of dust or water.

Do not bend, or place heavy objects on the power cable. Stepping on or allowing the power cable to be crushed by a heavy object could result in electric shock or fire.

Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords. This can diminish performance, and could result in electric shock or fire.

When using the machine for a long period of time or printing many pages in a nonventilated space, it could pollute the air and be harmful to your health. Place the machine in a well-ventilated space or open a window to circulate the air periodically.

Paper Storage Environment for Dell Laser Printers

Paper storage environmental conditions directly affect the feed operation.

Ideally, the paper storage environment should be at or near room temperature, and not too dry or humid. Remember that paper is hygroscopic; it absorbs and loses moisture rapidly.

Heat works with humidity to damage paper. Heat causes the moisture in paper to evaporate, while cold causes it to condense on the sheets. Heating systems and air conditioners remove most of the humidity from a room. As paper is opened and used, it loses moisture, causing streaks and smudging. Humid weather or water coolers can cause the humidity to increase in a room. As paper is opened and used it absorbs any excess moisture, causing light print and dropouts. Also, as paper loses and gains moisture it can become distorted. This can cause paper jams.

Avoid purchasing more paper than can be used in a short time (about 3 months). Paper stored for long periods may experience heat and moisture extremes, which can cause damage. Planning is important to prevent damage to large supplies of paper.

Unopened paper in sealed reams can remain stable for several months before use. Opened packages of paper have more potential for environment damage, especially if they are not wrapped with a moisture-proof barrier.

The paper storage environment should be properly maintained to ensure optimum performance. The required condition is 20° C to 24° C (68° F to 75° F), with a relative humidity of 4 to 55 percent. The following guidelines should be considered when evaluating the paper's storage environment:

• Paper should be stored at or near room temperature.
• The air should not be too dry or too humid.
• The best way to store an opened ream of paper is to rewrap it tightly in its moisture-proof wrapping. If the printer environment is subject to extremes, unwrap only the amount of paper to be used during the day's operation to prevent unwanted moisture changes.