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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting failed battery charging, unexpectedly short backup runtime, loss of mains recognition, external UPS problems, or battery-related alarms.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety First
Do not troubleshoot an unresolved power or battery problem while the Perseus is supporting an active patient.
If power reliability becomes questionable during a procedure:
- Notify anesthesia personnel immediately.
- Restore mains power when safely possible.
- Prepare an alternate anesthesia machine and independent means of ventilation.
- Follow the facility’s anesthesia emergency and patient-transfer procedures.
Expected: Patient ventilation and anesthesia delivery are not dependent on equipment with uncertain backup power.
Why it matters: A Perseus battery failure may result in loss of ventilation if the machine shuts down after mains power is removed.
If the patient has been safely transferred or the machine is not in clinical use, continue troubleshooting.
2. Confirm the Exact Failure Mode
Determine whether the reported problem involves:
- Battery charge level not increasing
- “Battery low” or “Battery very low” alarm
- “Battery temperature high” alarm
- Device immediately shutting down when unplugged
- Backup runtime substantially shorter than expected
- Mains power not appearing on the status display
- External facility UPS or emergency receptacle alarming
- Accessories losing power while the Perseus remains operational
Record the exact alarm wording, charge percentage, operating state, and whether the power cord was connected.
Expected: The complaint is separated into a mains-input, internal-battery, external-UPS, or accessory-power issue.
3. Verify the Wall Receptacle
Test the receptacle with an approved electrical tester or known-good biomedical test load.
Confirm:
- Correct mains voltage
- Proper grounding
- No loose or damaged receptacle contacts
- Emergency-power or UPS receptacle is functioning
- Wall switch, circuit breaker, or isolation-panel control is not turned off
Move the Perseus to a verified compatible receptacle when appropriate.
Expected: The receptacle supplies stable power and the machine recognizes mains operation.
If charging begins or the mains indication returns, the external power source was the likely cause. Stop troubleshooting and correct or report the facility electrical issue.
4. Inspect and Reseat the Power Cord
Disconnect the machine from clinical use before manipulating the power connection.
Inspect the power cord for:
- Loose IEC connection
- Bent, burned, or damaged contacts
- Cuts, crushing, or insulation damage
- Evidence of fluid contamination
- Missing strain relief
- An incorrect or unapproved replacement cord
Reconnect the cord securely at the machine and wall outlet. Confirm it is routed through the intended strain-relief path and is not connected through an added power strip.
Expected: The power cord remains firmly seated and the mains indicator appears on the status display.
Drager specifies that the internal batteries charge automatically from mains power and directs users to verify both mains and battery indications after connecting the power cable.
If reseating or replacing a damaged cord restores charging, complete electrical-safety and functional testing before returning the machine to service.
5. Check the Mains and Battery Status Indications
Power the machine normally and observe the status display.
Verify:
- Mains power is recognized.
- The battery symbol and charge level are displayed.
- Charge level increases over time.
- No battery-temperature or battery-connection alarms are present.
- The machine does not repeatedly switch between mains and battery operation.
A “Battery low” alarm indicates less than 20% charge when mains power is unavailable. A “Battery very low” condition indicates less than 10% charge or may accompany a disconnected battery or failed battery fuse. Internal battery or fuse conditions require service evaluation rather than external troubleshooting.
Expected: Stable mains recognition is present and the battery charge indication responds normally.
If mains power is verified externally but not recognized by the machine, remove the unit from service and escalate for repair.
6. Check the Operating Temperature
Determine whether the machine was:
- Stored in a hot room or vehicle
- Positioned near warming equipment
- Exposed to direct sunlight
- Operated in an unusually warm equipment room
- Displaying a “Battery temperature high” alarm
Move the machine to an approved room-temperature environment and allow it to stabilize while connected to verified mains power.
Expected: The temperature alarm clears and normal charging resumes.
Drager states that charging may be suspended when battery temperature is high and that prolonged operation above 35 °C may prevent proper charging or reduce available battery power.
If the alarm remains after the device reaches normal room temperature, escalate for bench evaluation.
7. Allow a Complete Charging Period
For a depleted battery, a machine returning from storage, or an uncertain charge history:
- Connect the Perseus directly to verified mains power.
- Confirm the mains indicator remains present.
- Leave the device connected for at least eight hours.
- Recheck the battery level and alarms after charging.
Do not assume the battery has failed based on a brief charging period.
Expected: The indicated charge level increases and reaches an acceptable level without battery alarms.
Drager specifies at least eight hours to reach full battery power. Battery capacity also decreases with age and use.
If the charge level does not increase after verified mains connection and an adequate charging period, remove the machine from service.
8. Evaluate an External UPS Separately
When the complaint refers to a room UPS, isolation panel, ceiling supply, or emergency-power system, determine whether that system is separate from the Perseus internal battery.
Check:
- UPS input and output indicators
- Bypass, overload, replace-battery, or fault alarms
- Emergency-power receptacle operation
- UPS-connected circuit loading
- Whether other equipment on the same circuit is affected
Do not open or internally service a facility UPS unless that work is within Clinical Engineering’s authorization and training.
Expected: The external UPS supplies stable output or the problem is referred to Facilities, Electrical Services, or the responsible vendor.
If the external UPS is operating normally but the Perseus still does not recognize mains power, continue with machine-specific evaluation.
9. Perform an Approved Battery Functional Test
After a complete charge, perform only the battery verification permitted by the current facility procedure and applicable Drager service documentation.
Before removing mains power:
- Ensure the machine is off patient.
- Have an alternate power source available.
- Record the starting battery percentage.
- Observe transfer to battery operation.
- Monitor for abnormal shutdowns, rapid charge decline, or missing low-battery alarms.
- Do not intentionally run the battery to complete depletion unless required by an approved service procedure.
A new, fully charged battery is specified for a minimum backup time of 30 minutes, with a typical value of 150 minutes; actual runtime may vary with battery condition and operating load.
Expected: The machine transfers to battery without interruption and demonstrates acceptable performance under the approved test method.
If the machine shuts down unexpectedly, charge drops rapidly, or runtime fails the approved acceptance criterion, stop testing and remove the device from service.
10. Verify Battery Recall or Correction Status
Review the machine’s serial number, service history, recall records, and battery-replacement documentation.
The FDA identified a Class I correction involving Perseus internal backup batteries that could fail unexpectedly during battery operation without a preceding low-battery alarm. The listed customer actions included testing device batteries and arranging replacement for machines that failed the test.
Expected: Documentation confirms that all applicable battery corrections and required testing have been completed.
If correction status cannot be confirmed, contact Drager or the authorized service provider before returning the machine to clinical use.
11. Review Battery Age and Service History
Check the CMMS and service records for:
- Battery installation date
- Previous short-runtime complaints
- Battery-test results
- Long periods in storage
- Repeated deep discharges
- Prior charging or power-supply repairs
- Applicable recalls or field corrections
Do not access or replace internal batteries without the required authorization, training, service documentation, and post-repair testing.
Expected: Battery history supports continued use, or an aged or repeatedly failing battery is identified for authorized replacement.
If an approved battery replacement resolves the issue, complete all required operational, alarm, battery-transfer, and electrical-safety testing before return to service.
If the Problem Persists
Verified mains power, the power cord, ambient temperature, charging time, external UPS operation, and operating conditions have been checked.
The remaining cause is likely an internal battery, battery fuse, charging circuit, power-input assembly, temperature-sensing circuit, or other internal power-system failure.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Replaced with a verified anesthesia machine
- Sent for authorized repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated for applicable recall or field-correction requirements
Do not continue repeated unplug testing on a machine that has demonstrated unexpected shutdown or unreliable battery operation. Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never test battery runtime during an active anesthetic. Transfer the patient to verified equipment first and keep manual ventilation immediately available during any power-related event.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Anesthesia staff reported that the Drager Perseus battery remained at a low charge and the machine shut down shortly after mains power was disconnected."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Verified mains power was present and the power cord was secure, but the internal battery failed to gain charge after eight hours and failed the approved battery functional test."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the Perseus from service, labeled it Out of Service, provided a replacement anesthesia machine, and referred the unit for authorized battery and charging-system evaluation."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Wall outlet tested
- Emergency-power or UPS outlet verified
- Mains indicator present
- Starting and ending battery percentage
- Exact battery alarm recorded
- Power cord inspected or substituted
- Eight-hour charging period completed
- Ambient temperature checked
- Battery transfer test performed
- Unexpected shutdown observed
- Battery installation date reviewed
- Recall or correction status verified
- Electrical-safety test completed
- Final device status documented
Final Thought
Power troubleshooting on an anesthesia machine must prioritize uninterrupted ventilation and safe anesthesia delivery. Verify external power first, confirm adequate charging conditions, test backup operation only in a controlled setting, and escalate unreliable internal power systems promptly. Clear CCR documentation preserves the evidence needed for repair and patient-safety follow-up.
That is successful troubleshooting.