Laser printer safety: While servicing a laser printer, which component should you avoid touching because it operates at high temperature during printing?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: fuser

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Laser printers fix toner to paper by heat and pressure. Safety awareness is crucial during maintenance to avoid burns and equipment damage.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • We are working on a standard office laser printer.
  • The printer has recently been operating, so internal components may be hot.
  • Technician must know which parts are hazardous to touch.


Concept / Approach:

The fuser assembly contains heated rollers that reach high temperatures to melt toner and bond it to paper. Immediately after printing, the fuser is very hot. While the high-voltage power supply and corona assemblies are electrically dangerous, the thermal hazard is specifically the fuser.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify the function of the fuser: heat and pressure for toner fixing.Recognize it operates at high temperature during and after print jobs.Select “fuser” as the hot component to avoid touching.


Verification / Alternative check:

Service manuals warn about fuser temperature and recommend cooldown time. Temperature sensors (thermistors) and thermal fuses on the fuser underline the heat risk.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Printer head: Not used in laser printers (inkjets use printheads).
  • Primary corona: High voltage risk, but not the primary heat hazard.
  • High-voltage power supply: Electrical hazard, not typically hot to the touch.
  • None of the above: Incorrect because the fuser is correct.


Common Pitfalls:

Opening the fuser immediately after heavy printing; touching the roller surface; ignoring lockout/tagout and ESD protocols while servicing.



Final Answer:

fuser

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