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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting a Brewer powered exam table that does not raise, lower, recline, or respond to foot control commands.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety First
Remove the table from patient use before troubleshooting powered movement.
If a patient is on the table, assist clinical staff with transferring the patient safely to another appropriate exam surface or device before testing.
Expected outcome: No patient remains dependent on a table that cannot be repositioned safely.
Why it matters: A table without powered movement may prevent safe transfer, positioning, or emergency repositioning.
2. Confirm the Reported Failure
With the table unoccupied, attempt the available powered movements using the foot control:
- Table Up
- Table Down
- Back Up or Back Down, if equipped
- Return to Chair, if equipped
Observe whether there is:
- No motion at all
- Indicator light activity
- Relay clicking
- Motor humming
- Intermittent response
Expected outcome: Confirm whether all powered functions are inactive or whether the failure affects only one function.
Brewer identifies the foot control as the normal method for powered table adjustment and uses lack of movement as a starting point in its troubleshooting process.
3. Check the Main Power Switch
Locate the table’s ON/OFF switch at the back of the rear cabinet and verify it is in the ON position.
Cycle the switch OFF, wait briefly, then return it to ON. Attempt a table movement again.
Expected outcome: If the switch was off or not fully engaged, powered movement returns.
If resolved: Verify all intended powered functions operate correctly, complete safety checks, document the correction, and return the table to service only when safe.
4. Verify Power at the Wall Receptacle
Confirm the table is plugged into a known-working grounded receptacle.
Check the receptacle using approved Clinical Engineering methods or temporarily connect the table to another verified suitable outlet.
Do not use extension cords or bypass grounding.
Expected outcome: The table receives reliable facility power.
If resolved: Confirm normal powered movement and document the outlet-related cause.
5. Inspect the Power Cord and Table Power Connection
Unplug the table before inspecting the cord.
Check the external power cord for:
- Cuts, crushing, fraying, or exposed conductors
- Bent or damaged plug blades
- Loose connection at the rear of the table, if detachable
- Signs of overheating, discoloration, or odor
Reconnect the power cord securely, restore power, and retest movement.
Expected outcome: A loose connection is corrected, or cord damage is identified before further use.
Stop condition: If the power cord, plug, or inlet is damaged, keep the table out of service and arrange repair.
6. Inspect the Foot Control and Cable Externally
Inspect the foot control for:
- Cracked housing
- Stuck or physically damaged pedals
- Fluid contamination
- Pinched, cut, or stretched cable
- Loose or disconnected external foot-control connection, if accessible without removing covers
Reseat any accessible external connector only with the table unplugged, then restore power and retest.
Expected outcome: Powered movement returns if the foot control connection was loose or a pedal was obstructed.
Stop condition: If the foot control or cable is damaged, do not continue using the table.
7. Check for a Recent Heavy-Use or Thermal Shutdown Condition
Ask whether the table stopped after repeated positioning, frequent transfers, or prolonged powered operation.
If heavy use preceded the failure and there is no burning smell, unusual heat, damaged wiring, or mechanical obstruction, allow the table to remain unused and powered down for approximately 30 minutes, then retest.
Expected outcome: Movement returns if the internal control protection temporarily stopped operation due to overheating.
Brewer’s troubleshooting information indicates that operation may stop after heavy use because the control box is over temperature and may reset automatically after a 30-minute cool-down.
8. Observe for Signs Requiring Immediate Escalation
Do not continue testing if any of the following are present:
- Burning smell
- Smoke
- Excessive heat
- Buzzing, arcing, or abnormal electrical noise
- Damaged cord or controls
- Table movement beginning unexpectedly
- Repeated failure after power and connection checks
Expected outcome: Unsafe equipment is prevented from returning to patient use.
9. Perform a Final External Retest Only if the Cause Was Corrected
If an external cause was corrected, verify the table operates smoothly through the available powered functions while unoccupied.
Confirm:
- Table raises and lowers normally
- Powered backrest operates, if equipped
- Foot control responds correctly
- Movement stops when controls are released
- No unusual noise, odor, or intermittent response occurs
Expected outcome: The table demonstrates reliable powered operation before release for clinical use.
If any powered function remains inoperative: Stop troubleshooting and escalate for repair.
If the Problem Persists
If the table still has no powered movement after verifying the power switch, outlet, power cord, external connections, foot control condition, and possible thermal reset, common external causes have been ruled out.
The issue is likely related to an internal power, control, actuator, fuse, wiring, or safety-interlock failure requiring further bench evaluation or authorized repair.
The table should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
Do not remove covers, bypass safety circuits, or continue repeated activation attempts in the clinical area. Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot powered exam table movement with a patient seated or lying on the table. Move the patient to another safe exam surface first, then test the equipment only when it is unoccupied and safe to operate.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Brewer Access High-Low exam table would not raise, lower, or respond to any foot control commands."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Verified no powered movement after confirming the rear power switch was on, outlet power was present, power cord and external foot-control connection were intact, and the failure remained after a cool-down period."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the table from service, applied an Out of Service label, and sent the unit for bench evaluation of the internal power and control system."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Outlet tested and result
- Rear ON/OFF switch position
- Power cord and plug condition
- Foot control and cable condition
- Whether any indicator lights were present
- Whether relay clicking or motor humming was heard
- Whether the table stopped after heavy use
- Unusual sounds, heat, or smell
- Functions tested: lift, backrest, return-to-chair
- Final device status
Final Thought
A powered exam table that does not move can quickly become a patient transfer and positioning risk. Start with safe, logical external checks, confirm what is and is not working, and escalate when basic causes have been ruled out. Clear CCR documentation supports safe equipment decisions and efficient repair follow-up.
That is successful troubleshooting.