Epson 5000/5500 User manual

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the
prior written permission of Seiko Epson Corporation. No patent liability is assumed with
respect to the use of the information contained herein. While every precaution has been taken
in the preparation of this book, Seiko Epson Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors
or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the
information contained herein.
Neither Seiko Epson Corporation nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of this
product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by purchaser or third
parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized
modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product.
Seiko Epson Corporation and its affiliates shall not be liable against any damages or problems
arising from the use of any options or any consumable products other than those designated
as Original Epson Products or Epson Approved Products by Seiko Epson Corporation.
Epson and Epson ESC/P are registered trademarks and Epson ESC/P 2 is a trademark of
Seiko Epson Corporation.
General Notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and
may be trademarks of their respective companies.
Copyright © 1991 by Epson America, Inc., Torrance, California. All rights reserved
User’s Manual

For United States Users
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause interference to radio and television reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures.
lReorient or relocate the receiving antenna
l Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
lConnect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected
l Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
WARNING
The connection of a non-shielded equipment interface cable to this equipment will invalidate
the FCC Certification of this device and may cause interference levels which exceed the limits
established by the FCC for this equipment. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain and
use a shielded equipment interface cable with this device. If this equipment has more than one
interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
For Canadian Users
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital
apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department of
Communications.
Le présent appareil numérique n'émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B prescrites dans le réglement sur le brouillage
radioélectrique édicté par le Ministére des Communications du Canada.
ii

TIPS FOR PRINTING ON SINGLE SHEETS
There are a few things you should know about printing on single
sheets as opposed to continuous paper. When you print on single
sheets, you may notice that your printer prints the first page of
your file correctly but then prints too low on the next page, or that
it prints the last few lines from one page onto the next.
These differences in print position are easy to adjust; you can
simply change some of the settings in your application program as
described below to get the right results.
1. When you install an application program, it normally asks you
what printer you are using. Make sure you choose the correct
printer. See Chapter 1 for the right printer to choose.
2. Many programs include an option to set the maximum lines per
page. If your program has a lines-per-page setting and you are
using standard 8½ X 11-inch paper, set the lines per page to 61.
Note: To find the right lines-per-page setting for paper that is not
8½ X 11, create a test document using your application program.
Set your top and bottom margins to 0 and then create a file of
numbered lines from 1 to 66. When you print your file, notice
the last number printed on the first page. This is your maximum
lines-per-page setting.
3. If your program doesn’t have a lines-per-page setting, try
decreasing the top margin or increasing the bottom margin, or
both, until you get the results you want.
4. You can also try adjusting the form length setting. For a
standard 8½ X 11-inch page, try setting the form length at
10 inches.
5. Some programs also let you indicate whether you are using
single sheets or continuous paper. Make sure you choose single
sheets.
iii

Where to Get Help for United States Users
Epson America provides customer support and service through a
network of authorized Epson dealers and Customer Care Centers
throughout the United States.
You can call Epson’s Technical Support Center for assistance
with installation, configuration, and operation of Epson products,
at [phone], Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and
4:00 p.m. Pacific time.
For the location of your nearest Epson dealer or Customer Care
Center, call the Epson Consumer Information Center at
[phone].
iv

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read all of these instructions and save them for later reference.
2. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
3. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do
not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for
cleaning.
4. Do not use this product near water.
5. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, or table
The product may fall, causing serious damage to the product.
6. Slots and openings in the cabinet and the back or bottom are
provided for ventilation; to ensure reliable operation of the
product and to protect it from overheating, these openings must
not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be
blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other
similar surface. This product should never be placed near or
over a radiator or heat register. This product should not be
placed in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is
provided.
7. This product should be operated from the type of power source
indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type
of power available, consult your dealer or local power
company.
8. This product is equipped with a 3-wire grounding-type plug, a
plug having a third (grounding) pin. This plug will only fit into
a grounding-type power outlet. This is a safety feature. If you
are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact your
electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the
purpose of the grounding-type plug.
9. DO not locate this product where the cord will be walked on.
V

10. If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that
the total of the ampere ratings on the products plugged into the
extension cord does not exceed the extension cord ampere
rating. Also, make sure that the total of all products plugged
into the wall outlet does not exceed 15 amperes.
11. Never push objects of any kind into this product through
cabinet slots as they may touch dangerous voltage points or
short out parts that could result in a risk of fire or electric
shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.
12. Except as specifically explained in the User’s Manual, do not
attempt to service this product yourself. Opening or removing
those covers that are marked “Do Not Remove” may expose you
to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing in
those compartments to service personnel.
13. Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to
qualified service personnel under the following conditions:
A. When the power cord or plug is damaged or frayed.
B. If liquid has been spilled into the product.
C. If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
D. If the product does not operate normally when the operating
instructions are followed. Adjust only those controls that are
covered by the operating instructions since improper
adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will
often require extensive work by a qualified technician to
restore the product to normal operation.
E. If the product has been dropped or the cabinet has been
damaged.
F. If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance,
indicating a need for service.
vi

Contents
Introduction
1
Features .....................................................................
1
Options.. ...................................................................
2
Finding Your Way Around ............................................
3
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes....................................
3
Printer Parts.............................................................
4
Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer 1-1
Unpacking the Printer ................................................1-2
Choosing a Place for the Printer ..................................1-3
Assembling the Printer .............................................1-5
Testing the Printer ....................................................1-10
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer .....................1-13
Configuring Your Software for the Printer ...................1-14
Chapter 2 Paper Handling 2-1
Selecting a Paper Feeding Method
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2-2
Using Single Sheets
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 2-4
Using Continuous Paper
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2-9
Switching Between Continuous Paper and Single Sheets . . . 2-21
Printing on Special Paper
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2-23
Chapter 3 Using the Printer 3-1
Control Panel...........................................................3-2
DIP Switches ...........................................................3-6
Micro Feed
..............................................................3-13
Tear Off .................................................................3-16
Typestyles ...............................................................3-19
Data Dump Mode .....................................................3-24
Contents
vii

Chapter 4 Using Printer Options 4-1
Cut-Sheet Feeders......................................................4-2
Pull Tractor .............................................................4-12
Interface Cards .........................................................4-14
Chapter 5 Maintenance and Transportation 5-1
Cleaning the Printer ..................................................5-2
Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge ...................................5-3
Transporting the Printer .............................................5-4
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting 6-1
Problems and Solutions..............................................6-2
Power Supply ..........................................................6-3
Printing ...................................................................6-4
Paper Handling ........................................................6-8
Options...................................................................6-10
Chapter 7 Technical Specifications
7-1
Printer Specifications .................................................
7-2
Interface Specifications ...............................................7-10
Option Specifications.. ...............................................7-14
Initialization.. ...........................................................7-16
Chapter 8 Command Summary 8-1
Using the Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Commands Arranged by Topic.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8-3
Appendix A-1
Character Tables
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A-2
International Character Sets
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A-6
Glossary
GL-1
Index IN-1
viii
Contents

Introduction
Your new Epson” printer is an advanced 24-pin dot matrix printer
that combines high performance with a wide range of features.
Features
These features make your Epson printer an outstanding value:
Fast printing speed. You can print up to 252 characters per
second in 12 cpi draft mode.
Easy paper handling. The printer has four paper paths to suit
your printing needs: top, rear, bottom, and front.
Automatic paper loading. The printer automatically loads single
sheets and continuous paper.
Epson ESC/P 2. This enhanced printer control language adds
scalable fonts and improved graphics capability. With scalable
fonts, you can print characters of various sizes.
Compatibility. The printer supports the Epson ESC/P®
commands widely used in application programs written for other
Epson LQ and SQ printers.
Unique control-panel design. You can choose from nine popular
letter-quality fonts and one draft font.
The ActionPrinter 5000 and ActionPrinter 5500 are basically the same
printer except for the width of their carriages. The ActionPrinter 5000
has a standard width carriage that accommodates paper up to 254
mm (10 inches) wide. The ActionPrinter 5500 has a wide carriage
that accommodates paper up to 355.6 mm (14 inches) wide.
Introduction 1

Introduction
Options
You may choose from several printer options to enhance your
printer. For more information on these options, see Chapter 4.
Single-Bin Cut-Sheet Feeder
(C80637* for ActionPrinter 5000, C80639* for ActionPrinter 5500)
This economical cut-sheet feeder automatically feeds up to 50
sheets of paper into your printer without reloading. You can
load continuous paper and manually load single sheets without
removing the cut-sheet feeder.
High-Capacity Cut-Sheet Feeder
(C80638* for ActionPrinter 5000, C80640* for ActionPrinter 5500)
This cut-sheet feeder automatically feeds up to 150 sheets of
paper or 25 plain bond envelopes without reloading. You can
create a double-bin cut-sheet feeder by connecting this cut-sheet
feeder to the single-bin model.
Pull-Tractor Unit
(C80019* for ActionPrinter 5000, C80022* for ActionPrinter 5500)
Although you can use the standard tractor as a pull tractor,
using the optional pull tractor improves printing accuracy,
which is especially useful for printing on continuous multi-part
forms.
Film Ribbon Cartridge
(#7768 for ActionPrinter 5000, #7770 for ActionPrinter 5500)
An optional film ribbon cartridge provides even higher quality
printing than the standard fabric ribbon.
Interface Cards
Optional interface cards are available to supplement the printer’s
built-in parallel interface. Guidlines for choosing the right
interface and instructions on installing the cards are given in
Chapter 4.
The last figure in option part numbers, represented by an asterisk
(*), varies by country, Contact your local Epson dealer for the part
number in your country.
2 Introduction

Introduction
Finding Your Way Around
This manual provides fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions for
setting up and operating your printer.
.Chapter 1 contains information on unpacking, setting up,
testing, and connecting the printer. Be sure to read this chapter
first.
lChapters 2 and 3 include important information on paper
handling and day-to-day operation of your printer.
.Chapter 6 contains troubleshooting information. If the printer
does not operate properly or the printed results are not what
you expect, see Chapter 6 for a list of problems and solutions.
lOther chapters contain information on options, general
maintenance, specifications, and printer commands. See the end
of this manual for a glossary of printer terms and an index.
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes
WARNINGS must be followed to avoid bodily injury.
CAUTIONS must be observed to avoid damage to your
equipment.
Notes contain important information and useful tips on the
operation of your printer.
Introduction 3

Introduction
Printer Parts
4Introduction

Chapter 1
Setting Up the Printer
Unpacking the Printer ................................................
1-2
Checking the parts .................................................1-2
Choosing a Place for the Printer
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-3
Assembling the Printer ................................................1-5
Removing the protective materials .............................
1-5
Installing the ribbon cartridge...................................1-6
Attaching the paper guide........................................1-9
Testing the Printer ....................................................
1-10
Plugging in the printer ............................................1-10
Running the self test ...............................................1-10
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Configuring Your Software for the Printer .....................1-14
Choosing from a menu ..........................................1-14
Setting Up the Printer
1-1

Unpacking the Printer
Checking the parts
When you unpack the printer, make sure you have all the parts
shown below and that none is damaged.
Printer
Power cord Ribbon cartridge
Note: In some locations the power cord may be attached to the
printer.
Store the packing materials in case you ever need to transport your
printer.
CAUTION: There are several versions of the printer
designed for different voltages, and it is not possible to
adjust the printer for use at another voltage. If the label
on the back of the printer does not show the correct
voltage for your country, contact your dealer.
1-2 Setting Up the Printer

Choosing a Place for the Printer
When selecting a place to set up your printer, be sure to follow the
guidelines below.
l Place the printer on a flat, stable surface.
l Place the printer close enough to the computer for the printer’s
interface cable to reach it.
l Leave adequate room around the printer to allow for easy
operation and maintenance.
CAUTION: Avoid locations that are subject to direct
sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, or dust.
l Use a grounded outlet; do not use an adapter plug.
l Place the printer where you can easily unplug the power cord.
l Avoid electrical outlets controlled by wall switches or automatic
timers. Accidental disruption of power can wipe out information
in the memory of your printer or computer.
l Avoid outlets on the same circuit as large motors or other
appliances that can cause fluctuations in line voltage.
l Keep the entire computer system away from potential sources of
electromagnetic interference, such as loudspeakers or the base
units of cordless telephones.
Setting Up the Printer 1-3

Choosing a Place for the Printer
If you plan to use a printer stand, follow these guidelines:
Use a stand that supports at least 16.0 kg (35.3 lbs) for the
ActionPrinter 5000 or 22.0 kg (48.5 lbs) for the
ActionPrinter 5500.
Never use a stand that tilts the printer at an angle of more than
15 degrees from horizontal. If you install a cut-sheet feeder, the
stand must keep your printer level.
If you plan to load continuous paper through the bottom of the
printer, choose a stand that provides an unobstructed paper
path.
Position your printer’s power cord and interface cable so they
do not interfere with paper feeding. If possible, secure the cables
to a leg of the printer stand.
Align the paper stack so that the paper feeds straight into the
tractor’s sprocket units.
1-4 Setting Up the Printer

Assembling the Printer
Removing the protective materials
During shipping, packing materials protect the printer and a locking
clip protects the paper-tension unit. Before you turn on the printer,
you must remove the locking clip as described here:
1. Remove the paper guide. Lift the printer cover up and off.
Grasp both ends of the clear plastic paper-tension unit; lift up
the front of the unit and then lift it off.
2. Remove the locking clip from the paper-tension unit.
the clip with the other packing materials in case you
ever need to transport your printer.
Setting Up the Printer 1-5

Assembling the Printer
Installing the ribbon cartridge
Before installing the ribbon cartridge, make sure that the power
cord is not plugged into an electrical outlet.
1.
If necessary, lift the printer cover up and off. Grasp both ends
of the clear plastic paper-tension unit and lift it up and off also,
WARNING: Never move the print head while the printer is
turned on; this can damage the printer. Also, if you just
used the printer, the print head may be hot. Let it cool
for a few minutes before touching it.
2. Slide the print head to the middle of the printer.
1-6 Setting Up the Printer

Assembling the Printer
3. Turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow.
This removes any slack in the ribbon and makes it easier to
install. Next, hold the ribbon cartridge by its handle and push it
firmly down into position; then press on both ends of the
cartridge to make sure the plastic hooks fit into the slots.
4. Use a pointed object, such as a ball point pen, to guide the
ribbon between the print head and ribbon guide. Turn the
ribbon-tightening knob to help feed the ribbon into place.
5. Slide the print head from side to side to make sure it moves
smoothly. Also check that the ribbon is not twisted or creased.
Setting Up the Printer 1-7