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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting unexpected shutdowns, restarts, or intermittent operation caused by depleted batteries, improper installation, battery contacts, environmental exposure, or internal power faults.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety First
Do not perform extended troubleshooting while the AED Plus is required for an active cardiac-arrest response.
If the device shuts down or repeatedly loses power during patient care:
- Continue CPR according to the emergency-response protocol.
- Obtain another verified AED or manual defibrillator immediately.
- Do not delay resuscitation while attempting repeated power cycles.
- Transfer defibrillation capability to the replacement device as soon as possible.
Expected outcome: Patient care continues without relying on an AED with uncertain power stability.
Continue Clinical Engineering troubleshooting only after the affected AED has been removed from active use.
2. Confirm the Reported Power Failure
In a controlled, nonclinical area, document whether the AED:
- Shuts down immediately after power-on
- Operates briefly and then powers off
- Restarts without operator input
- Loses power when moved or handled
- Shuts down during voice prompts, analysis, CPR feedback, or charging
- Displays a red “X,” emits an off-state beep, or announces “Change batteries” or “Unit failed”
Do not repeatedly cycle a device that produces unusual heat, odor, smoke, or battery-compartment damage.
Expected outcome: The exact shutdown pattern and associated indicators are identified.
3. Inspect the Exterior and Battery Compartment
Turn the AED off and inspect for:
- Cracked or impact-damaged housing
- Evidence of liquid intrusion
- A loose or damaged battery cover
- Battery movement inside the compartment
- Corrosion, contamination, or bent battery contacts
- Unusual heat, odor, swelling, or residue
- Evidence that the device was recently dropped or exposed to improper storage conditions
Do not disassemble the AED or attempt internal repair. ZOLL directs internal servicing to qualified repair personnel because of electrical hazards.
Expected outcome: No external condition is found that could interrupt battery contact or make further testing unsafe.
If significant damage, corrosion, heat, odor, or liquid intrusion is present, stop and remove the AED from service.
4. Verify the Battery Type and Installation
The AED Plus uses 10 Duracell Coppertop CR123 batteries made in the USA. Confirm that:
- All 10 battery positions are populated.
- Every battery is the specified type.
- Batteries are installed in the correct orientation.
- No battery is loose, reversed, damaged, leaking, or from a different manufacturer.
- Old and new batteries have not been mixed.
- Batteries from different replacement dates have not been combined.
ZOLL specifies replacing all 10 batteries together rather than replacing individual cells.
Expected outcome: A complete, correctly installed, matched battery set is present.
If installation was incorrect, correct it and proceed to the checkout test. If the issue resolves and the AED passes all readiness checks, stop.
5. Replace the Complete Battery Set When Battery Condition Is Uncertain
Replace all 10 batteries when:
- The AED announces “Change batteries.”
- Battery age or replacement history is unknown.
- Batteries are mismatched.
- Any cell is damaged or leaking.
- Intermittent shutdown continues despite correct installation.
- The installed batteries have reached the applicable replacement interval.
Remove all existing batteries before installing the new set. Insert 10 new specified batteries, following the compartment polarity markings. Do not mix the removed batteries with the new set.
Press the battery-compartment reset button only after all 10 new batteries have been installed, as directed by ZOLL.
Expected outcome: The AED has a complete, known-good battery source and initializes normally.
6. Confirm the Electrode Cable Connection
Inspect the electrode connector and confirm that the compatible electrode cable is fully seated and undamaged.
ZOLL instructs that the electrode cable be connected after battery installation and remain connected during normal readiness storage. A disconnected or improperly attached cable may produce a failed-readiness indication that could be mistaken for a power problem.
Expected outcome: The electrode cable is securely connected, and no connector damage is visible.
If reseating the connector corrects the warning and the AED passes checkout, stop.
7. Perform the Power-On Checkout
Turn the AED on and observe the entire startup sequence.
Confirm that:
- The AED remains powered continuously.
- Voice prompts are clear and uninterrupted.
- The device announces “Unit OK.”
- The correct adult or pediatric pad message is heard.
- The display and indicator lights remain stable.
- No “Change batteries,” “Unit failed,” or other fault prompt occurs.
Do not use a patient or simulate therapy delivery during this check.
Expected outcome: The AED completes startup without shutting down, restarting, or displaying a fault.
If the unit shuts down again with a complete new battery set, remove it from service.
8. Perform the Manual Self-Test
With the AED safely disconnected from patient use, press and hold the ON/OFF button for more than five seconds to initiate the manual test.
ZOLL recommends this test when a self-test has failed. If the unit fails again, it should be removed from service.
Observe for:
- Completion of the test
- “Unit OK” confirmation
- Battery-related prompts
- Unexpected shutdown or restart
- A red “X” in the status window
- Beeping after the unit is turned off
Expected outcome: The AED completes the manual self-test without interruption.
If it fails, shuts down, or restarts, stop troubleshooting and remove it from service.
9. Verify the Final Readiness Indicator
Turn the AED off and wait approximately two minutes.
Confirm:
- The green check symbol appears in the status-indicator window.
- No periodic beeping is heard.
- The unit remains off without restarting.
- Gentle normal handling does not cause the indicator to change or the unit to power-cycle.
ZOLL’s checkout procedure requires the green check to appear and no beeping to occur before the AED is placed into service. A red “X” or off-state beeping requires additional action and, if unresolved, removal from service.
Expected outcome: The AED maintains a normal green readiness indication.
If the green check remains stable after successful testing, return the unit to service according to facility policy.
If the Problem Persists
If the AED Plus continues to shut down, restart, lose power when moved, fail its manual self-test, display a red “X,” or beep after installation of a complete approved battery set, common external causes have been ruled out.
The failure may involve internal battery contacts, power-management circuitry, wiring, controls, or another internal component.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Replaced with a verified AED
- Sent for authorized repair or bench evaluation
Do not open the housing, bypass battery contacts, or attempt board-level repair. Knowing when to stop testing an intermittently powered defibrillator is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot intermittent AED power while the device is supporting an active rescue. Continue CPR, move immediately to another verified defibrillator, and evaluate the affected AED only after emergency coverage has been restored.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the ZOLL AED Plus powered on normally but shut down intermittently during the startup voice prompts."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Inspection found a mixed and partially depleted set of CR123 batteries; the AED failed to maintain power until all 10 batteries were replaced together."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Installed 10 new approved Duracell Coppertop CR123 batteries, completed the manual self-test and startup checkout, verified the green readiness check with no beeping, and returned the AED to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact point when shutdown occurred
- Whether movement affected the failure
- Battery manufacturer, type, quantity, and replacement date
- Whether all 10 batteries were replaced together
- Battery-compartment condition
- Electrode cable connection
- Voice prompts or displayed messages
- Red “X,” green check, or off-state beeping
- Manual self-test result
- Unusual heat, odor, corrosion, or liquid exposure
- Final device status
Final Thought
Intermittent power loss in an AED must be treated as a serious readiness failure. Start with patient protection, verify the complete battery system and external connections, perform the approved checkout, and escalate immediately when stable operation cannot be demonstrated. Accurate CCR documentation preserves the observed failure, testing performed, and final disposition.
That is successful troubleshooting.