Ink jet printer and method of monitoring an ink jet printer

A system for monitoring an electrostatic deflection continuous ink jet printer comprising:

• a controller configured to:
• (i) receive data from the electrostatic deflection continuous ink jet printer indicating a current flowing at a deflection electrode of the electrostatic deflection continuous ink jet printer;
• (ii) cause an automatic ceasing of printing from the electrostatic deflection continuous ink jet printer in response to a determination by the controller that the data indicates an excessive current;
• and
• (iii) respond, by outputting cause an output of a warning that the electrostatic deflection continuous ink jet printer is predicted to be likely to automatically cease printing in response to a determination by the controller that the data indicates that an amount and/or pattern of current at the deflection electrode meets a predetermined criterion and the data does not indicate excessive current to cause the automatic ceasing of printing from the electrostatic deflection continuous ink jet printer.

A method of operating an electrostatic deflection continuous ink jet printer comprising:

• providing the electrostatic deflection continuous ink jet printer comprising a deflection electrode and a controller;
• automatically ceasing printing, via the controller, in response to an excessive current flowing at the deflection electrode;
• and
• outputting, via the controller, a warning that the printer is predicted to be likely to cease printing in response to a predetermined amount and/or pattern of current flowing at the deflection electrode that is (i) more than normal current flowing at the deflection electrode if components of the printer are clean but is (ii) not more than an excessive current that leads to the printer automatically ceasing printing.