Normally , cash drawer has two ways to open:
1, Based on the receipt printer interface method(traditional pos system)
2, Based on the software driven method (modern integrated pos system)
***For Method 1***
Hardware Structure: Inside the cash drawer, there’s a normally closed latch system kept shut by components like springs. The cash drawer has a coil, and when a 5V-12V voltage is applied for a certain period, it generates a magnetic field that attracts the iron core on the right, releasing the latch and allowing the spring to push the cash drawer open.
Interface: The printer’s RJ11 interface (with six wires, the sequence is not standardized but usually compatible with EPSON’s specifications) , when viewing with the RJ11 clip facing down, the wire sequence from left to right is numbered 1-6. Pins 1 and 6 are ground, pins 2 and 5 are printer current output lines, pin 3 is the cash drawer input signal line, and pin 4 is a 24V power supply (now there are cases where 5V – 12V can also open it). By outputting current for a certain period to either pin 2 or 5, the cash drawer can be opened.
Control Command: In some printing command sets, such as EPSON’s EPOS printing command set, there are specific commands to open the cash drawer, formatted as ESC pmt1t2. Here, ESC is the fixed start of the printing command, p indicates the open cash drawer command, m indicates which pin to output current to (m = 0 means output to pin 2, m = 1 means output to pin 5), t1 represents the current output time in milliseconds, and t2 represents the minimum interval between two signals.
***For Method 2***
Connection Setup: The cash drawer is connected to devices such as a cash register or receipt printer via a data cable (RJ11).
Driver Control: Setting the cash drawer opening’s parameters in the cash register system or printer driver.
Ejection Trigger: When performing checkout operations (such as scanning product barcodes, selecting cash payment, and clicking confirm), the system sends corresponding commands or signals to the cash drawer, which then opens upon command.
Additionally, there are some special situations that may prevent the cash drawer from opening or cause other malfunctions, such as the drawer getting stuck, improper connection of the drawer cable, or issues with the actuator (the core component of the internal switch in the cash drawer).
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