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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting absent or inadequate radiant heat output caused by power, mode, alarm, control, obstruction, or heater assembly faults.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety First
Remove the infant from the affected warmer and transfer care to an approved alternate warming device according to clinical protocol.
Do not test a suspected heater failure while an infant depends on the device for thermal support.
Expected outcome: The infant is safely supported on a working warmer before troubleshooting begins.
Why it matters: Failure of radiant heat can quickly compromise neonatal temperature management.
2. Confirm the Reported Heater Failure
With the device out of clinical use, verify the reported condition:
- Unit powers on but provides no apparent radiant warmth.
- Heater output is selected but heat does not increase.
- A System Fail, Power Fail, or other heater-related alarm is present.
- Heating stops unexpectedly during operation.
The Resuscitaire warmer is designed with adjustable heater output from 0% to 100% in 10% increments and includes controller heating alarms such as System Fail and Power Fail.
Expected outcome: The complaint is reproduced or the reported alarm/behavior is documented.
If the heater operates normally and no alarm returns: Complete appropriate functional verification before returning the device to service, then stop.
3. Inspect for Visible Damage or Unsafe Conditions
Inspect the heater head, reflector area, control panel, column, power cord, and plug for:
- Cracks, discoloration, scorch marks, or melted components.
- Liquid intrusion or residue near the heater or controls.
- Loose, damaged, or exposed wiring at externally visible points.
- Unusual odor, smoke, or excessive heat from the housing.
Do not touch the radiant heater surface immediately after operation; allow adequate cooling time.
Expected outcome: No visible evidence of overheating, damage, or contamination is present.
If damage, smoke, burning odor, or abnormal heat is found: Stop troubleshooting, remove the unit from service, and send it for repair evaluation.
4. Verify AC Power and Power-Cord Connection
Confirm the power cord is firmly seated at the device and connected to a known-working hospital-grade outlet.
Check whether:
- The display and indicator lights power normally.
- A power-fail condition is present.
- The outlet supplies power using an approved method.
- The power cord has intermittent movement-related loss of power.
The Resuscitaire warmer requires AC power for heater operation; product specifications list 120 V or 220–240 V configurations depending on the model.
Expected outcome: The warmer receives stable AC power without a power-fail alarm.
If power restoration resolves the issue: Complete functional verification and stop.
5. Verify Heater Mode and Selected Output
Confirm the warmer is placed into the appropriate testable operating mode according to facility procedure and that heater output is intentionally set above 0%.
Observe whether:
- The mode selection is accepted.
- The heater output indication responds when adjusted.
- The displayed output remains stable or drops unexpectedly.
- An alarm occurs when heat is commanded.
Expected outcome: The control panel acknowledges a heat demand and displays an appropriate selected heater output.
If the heater was unintentionally set to 0% or an incorrect mode and normal heating returns after correction: Complete functional verification and stop.
6. Check for Alarm Conditions That May Interrupt Heating
Observe the alarm indicators and display while heat is commanded. Document any active or repeated indication, including:
- System Fail.
- Power Fail.
- Check Patient alarm behavior.
- High-temperature alarm.
- Probe-related alarm when operating in a temperature-controlled mode.
Do not repeatedly silence or reset alarms simply to continue operation without identifying the cause.
Expected outcome: No unresolved alarm prevents normal heater operation.
If a persistent alarm occurs with loss of heating: Remove the device from service and proceed to repair evaluation.
7. Inspect the Heater Path and Physical Position
Verify that the heater head is properly positioned over the mattress area and that nothing blocks radiant heat delivery, including:
- Linens, covers, accessories, or equipment placed between the heater and mattress.
- Mispositioned heater head or bed components.
- Heavy dust or residue visibly obstructing the reflector or heater area.
Do not disassemble or clean internal heater components during basic troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The radiant heat path is unobstructed and the heater is correctly positioned.
If removing an obstruction restores normal warming: Complete functional verification and stop.
8. Assess Whether Radiant Heat Is Produced
With the unit empty and safely positioned for testing, command heater output and allow an appropriate observation period according to facility policy.
Observe from a safe distance whether:
- Heat is produced over the mattress area.
- The heater output indicator increases but no warmth is detected.
- Heating is weak, uneven, intermittent, or accompanied by alarm activation.
The Resuscitaire uses a radiant heater and reflector arrangement intended to distribute heat across the mattress area.
Expected outcome: The warmer produces consistent radiant heat without abnormal alarms, odor, or visible damage.
If indicated output is present but radiant heat is absent or inadequate: Suspect a heater assembly, control, wiring, or internal power-delivery fault and stop further external troubleshooting.
9. Perform Final Functional Verification Only If the Problem Was Corrected
When an external issue has been identified and corrected, perform the required operational and safety verification for the warmer according to departmental procedure before returning it to use.
Verify that:
- Power remains stable.
- Heater output responds appropriately.
- No related alarms remain active.
- The device passes applicable safety and functional checks.
Expected outcome: The infant warmer is confirmed safe and functional for clinical use.
If verification fails: Remove the warmer from service and send it for repair evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
If stable AC power, proper heater mode, selected output, unobstructed heater path, visible condition, and alarm behavior have been checked but the warmer still does not provide reliable radiant heat, common external causes have been ruled out.
The failure is likely related to an internal heater element, heater control circuitry, internal connection, sensor/control fault, or power-delivery component.
The device should be:
- Removed from service.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation by qualified service personnel.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate a neonatal warming failure is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot a radiant heater failure while an infant is relying on the warmer. Move the patient to a known-working warming device first, then evaluate the affected unit only when it is safe and unoccupied.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Drager Resuscitaire powered on but did not provide radiant heat during setup for newborn care."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Verified stable AC power and selectable heater output, but the heater produced no detectable warming and the fault persisted with the unit empty."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the infant warmer from service, applied an Out of Service label, and routed the unit for bench evaluation of the radiant heater and internal heater-control system."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Outlet tested and result.
- Power cord and plug condition.
- Heater mode selected.
- Heater output setting used during evaluation.
- Alarm messages or indicator lights observed.
- Whether warmth was absent, weak, uneven, or intermittent.
- Visible discoloration, damage, unusual odor, or excessive heat.
- Whether the heat path was obstructed.
- Final device status and repair disposition.
Final Thought
Radiant heater failure on an infant warmer is a patient-safety concern that requires a methodical response: protect the infant first, rule out external causes, verify the failure safely, and escalate promptly when dependable heat cannot be confirmed. Accurate CCR documentation preserves the troubleshooting trail and supports appropriate repair decisions.
That is successful troubleshooting.