The proper start up sequence is:
1. Turn the key first to allow the engaging of the relay coil.
2. Then, press the reset button to hear the “click”.
3. Then, the power switch will work to turn the driver on and off.
If you leave the driver plugged into a power strip which is on, then you can just use the laser driver power switch to turn it on and off. If you lose power to the laser driver, or turn the power strip off, then you will have to press the red reset button again when you want to put power back to the laser driver. You can always leave the key in the driver and turned to the right and you can skip that step.
It is all part of the a latching interlock system driven by FDA regulations for this class laser. Three conditions have to be met for the interlock system to latch. The driver has to have power, the key has to be inserted and turned to the right, and the safety interlock jumper has to be inserted. With those conditions met pressing the reset switch will latch the interlock. If the system looses power, the key is removed, or the safety interlock jumper is removed the interlock will have to reset. With interlock latched the power switch can be used to turn the laser driver on and off.