Initial power draw by HP printer P2055dn?

[JDoug31]

The printer sometimes trips a circuit breaker in the house as soon as it gets a command to print and begins to start up printing (it has been in standby until it gets the Print command).  I wonder what the maximum initial power draw is by the electric motor in the printer, in watts.

[Repairatrooper]

Spec sheets show the active power draw is 570 watts, specs state that this is the maximum draw for the device.

[JDoug31]

The specs  refer to the "active power draw" as 570 watts.  To me, the "active power draw" seems to refer to the (maximum) power draw during printing, and not to some higher initial power draw as the electric motor is starting up.  I am left uncertain about this initial power draw, and I would not expect that value to be quoted in the ordinary specs that HP publishes in its literature.  Also, the circuit breaker does not trip during printing except just sometimes at the very beginning, within the first second of sending the print command to the printer.   I think I need an engineer to measure peak amps or watts during that first second and report the value!

[Repairatrooper · Accepted solution]

Your reply raised my curiousity so I connected a 2055 to my Extech Power Analyzer. It has a peak reading ability of 1000W and during initial printing it would error the meter indicating temporary draw of over 1000Watts. Even in middle of job it would pull about 780 Watts so I do not think that HP's Specs are accurate.They typically recommend a 10amp dedicated circuit for printers anyway.

[JDoug31]

Fantastic!  Outstanding!  Just what I was looking for about the initial power draw for the HP P2055dn printer!  Armed with your apparently very reliable and authoritative information, I can approach our retirement institution's electricians and at least ask about getting another line installed here (it will probably be refused).  We have a single so-called 10-amp circuit breaker that feeds all 5 wall outlets plus 2 ceiling lights in our Living Room / Dining area.  I thought it was against electrical code to feed ceiling lights and wall outlets with the same line, but apparently it is OK, at least here in Massachusetts.  I think that code is at least obsolete.  Oh, well.  Anyhow, now I can think about some kind of next steps!  Maybe they can replace the circuit breaker with a 'slo-blo' type, if those exist. 

Thanks very much, dear Repairatrooper!  HP should maybe replace their printers' motors if they need to - or perhaps they have already decreased their printers' power calls for starting up.  My new HP color laser M254dw is on a different circuit and has not blown a fuse yet.  If you have an M254dw handy, maybe measure its initial draw for comparison?

Thank you very much!