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Cash Drawers

Admin

Cash drawers in Brother POS are connected through your receipt printer, not directly to the POS computer. When Brother POS needs to open the drawer (e.g., after a cash sale), it sends a command to the receipt printer, which triggers the drawer to open via a DK (Drawer Kick) port.

Cash Drawers

How Cash Drawers Connect​

POS Device ──(network)──> Receipt Printer ──(DK port / RJ11 cable)──> Cash Drawer

The cash drawer does not connect to your computer or network directly. It connects to the receipt printer using an RJ11 or RJ12 cable (the same type of cable used for landline telephones, but with a different pin configuration).

No Special Configuration

Once physically connected, cash drawers work automatically. Brother POS sends an ESC/POS drawer-kick command to the receipt printer, which triggers the drawer. There is no software driver or separate setup needed for the drawer itself.

Supported Cash Drawers​

Most standard POS cash drawers with an RJ11 or RJ12 interface are compatible. The drawer must support printer-triggered opening via a DK port.

DrawerInterfaceNotes
APG VasarioRJ12Reliable, heavy-duty. Common in retail environments.
Star Micronics CD3-1616RJ12Compact, good for small countertops.
MMF Val-u LineRJ12Budget-friendly option.
Any RJ11/RJ12 POS drawerRJ11 or RJ12Must be compatible with your printer's DK port voltage.
Voltage Compatibility

Most Epson printers use a 24V DK signal, and most POS cash drawers expect 24V. If you are mixing printer and drawer brands, verify that the voltage matches. A 12V drawer on a 24V signal may be damaged.

Physical Setup​

Step 1: Position the Cash Drawer​

  1. Place the cash drawer on or under the counter at the register station.
  2. Ensure there is enough clearance for the drawer to open fully.
  3. Position it within cable reach of the receipt printer.

Step 2: Connect the Cable​

  1. Locate the DK port on the back or bottom of your receipt printer. It is usually labeled "DK" or has a drawer icon.
  2. Plug one end of the RJ11/RJ12 cable into the printer's DK port.
  3. Plug the other end into the input port on the back of the cash drawer.

Step 3: Test the Connection​

  1. Log in to the POS.
  2. Process a test cash sale.
  3. When the sale completes, the cash drawer should pop open automatically.

If the drawer does not open, check the cable connections and try again.

Automatic Opening​

The cash drawer opens automatically in the following situations:

EventDrawer Opens?
Cash sale completedYes
Cash portion of a split paymentYes
Cash drop recordedYes
Cash payout recordedYes
Opening a new cash drawer sessionYes
Debit or e-transfer saleNo
Store credit saleNo
Voiding a saleNo
Manual Open

If you need to open the drawer without processing a sale (e.g., to make change), use the Open Drawer button in the POS cash drawer menu. This action is logged for audit purposes.

Manual Drawer Open (Key)​

Every POS cash drawer includes a physical key lock on the front. This key serves two purposes:

  1. Manual open -- If the printer or POS is offline, you can turn the key to open the drawer manually.
  2. Lock -- When the store is closed, lock the drawer to prevent unauthorized access.
Key Security

Keep the cash drawer key in a secure location. Only managers and authorized personnel should have access to the key. The key should not be left in the lock during business hours.

Multiple Cash Drawers​

If your store has multiple registers, each register needs its own cash drawer:

  1. Connect each cash drawer to its respective receipt printer via the DK port.
  2. Each register's POS session tracks its own drawer independently.
  3. Cash counts and variances are per-register, so there is no cross-contamination between drawers.

Dual Drawer Setup​

Some receipt printers have two DK ports (DK1 and DK2) and can control two drawers. This is useful if one register needs two drawers (e.g., one for the current shift and one as a spare).

Check your printer's documentation for dual-drawer support and configuration.

Cash Drawer Session Workflow​

The cash drawer integrates with Brother POS's session management:

  1. Manager opens a session with a starting float. The drawer opens for the float to be placed inside.
  2. Cashier processes sales. Cash sales trigger the drawer to open. Card sales do not.
  3. Cash drops are recorded when cash is removed from the drawer to the safe. The drawer opens for the drop.
  4. Manager closes the session. A forced cash count is required. The manager counts the cash in the drawer and enters the amount.
  5. Z-Report is generated showing expected vs. actual cash and any variance.

See Cash Drawer Sessions for detailed session management instructions.

Troubleshooting​

Drawer Does Not Open on Cash Sale​

  1. Check the cable. Ensure the RJ11/RJ12 cable is securely connected to both the printer and the drawer.
  2. Check the receipt. Did a receipt print? If not, the issue is with the printer connection, not the drawer.
  3. Check the DK port. Try plugging the cable into a different DK port on the printer (if available).
  4. Try a different cable. RJ11 cables can fail. Swap with a known-good cable.
  5. Manual test. Use the key to open the drawer manually. If it opens, the drawer mechanism is fine and the issue is electrical.

Drawer Opens but Receipt Does Not Print​

The drawer kick command and the receipt print are sent together. If the drawer opens but the receipt does not print, the receipt data may have an issue. Check the receipt printer settings and try a test print from the admin panel.

Drawer Makes a Click but Does Not Open​

  1. The drawer may be jammed. Open it with the key, check for obstructions (coins, receipts, pens), and close it again.
  2. The latch mechanism may need lubrication. Apply a small amount of dry lubricant to the latch.

Drawer Opens Randomly​

This is rare but can happen if:

  1. A loose cable is making intermittent contact. Reseat the DK cable firmly.
  2. Electrical interference is triggering the DK signal. Move cables away from power adapters or other electrical sources.

Common Questions​

Can I connect the cash drawer directly to my computer via USB? No. Brother POS does not support USB-connected cash drawers. The drawer must connect through the receipt printer's DK port.

Does the drawer still work if the internet goes down? Yes. The drawer-kick command is sent from the POS device to the receipt printer over your local network. It does not depend on an internet connection.

Can I disable automatic drawer opening? This is not configurable. Cash sales always trigger the drawer to open. If you need the drawer to stay closed, lock it with the key (but sales will still attempt to trigger it).

What's Next?​