ZOLL R Series

Asset Type

Defibrillator

Manufacturer

ZOLL

Model

R Series

What This Guide Helps With

This guide helps troubleshoot DEFIB FAULT 96 on a ZOLL R Series defibrillator. This error may appear during discharge, testing, or clinical use and indicates that the defibrillator may not be able to reliably deliver therapy because of a discharge-related PD module fault.

Because this issue involves the defibrillation discharge function, the device should not remain available for patient use until it has been evaluated, repaired if needed, and fully tested.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

• Remove the ZOLL R Series from patient use immediately if DEFIB FAULT 96 appears during charging, discharging, testing, or clinical use.
• Transfer the patient to another working defibrillator if defibrillation, cardioversion, pacing, or monitoring is needed.
• Do not repeatedly attempt shocks on a patient when this fault is active.
• Label the device as unavailable until evaluated.

Expected outcome: Patient care is supported by a known working defibrillator.

Verify the Reported Error and Behavior

• Confirm the screen shows DEFIB FAULT 96.
• Ask staff whether the error appeared during startup, self-test, charging, discharge, after a failed shock, or intermittently during use.
• Determine whether the unit charges normally but faults when discharge is attempted.
• Record any additional messages, failed readiness indicators, or test failure reports.

Expected outcome: DEFIB FAULT 96 is reproducible or clearly documented.

Remove the Device From Clinical Service

• Apply an Out of Service tag.
• Remove the device from the crash cart, treatment bay, procedure room, or transport area.
• Notify clinical leadership that the unit is not available.
• Replace it with a ready spare defibrillator.

Expected outcome: The faulty unit is physically separated from patient care areas.

Check Basic External Conditions First

• Confirm the device is connected to a known-good AC outlet.
• Verify the power cord is fully seated and undamaged.
• Confirm the battery is installed correctly and has adequate charge.
• Inspect the device for physical damage, fluid contamination, cracked case sections, damaged connectors, or signs of impact.
• Check for abnormal smell, heat, arcing marks, or unusual sounds.

Expected outcome: No external power, battery, or visible damage issue is causing or contributing to the fault.

Inspect Therapy Cables, Pads, and Paddles

• Inspect the multifunction therapy cable for bent pins, loose connectors, cuts, crushed insulation, contamination, or intermittent connection.
• Confirm the therapy cable is fully connected to the defibrillator.
• Replace pads with a known-good, in-date set during testing.
• If paddles are used, inspect paddle surfaces, cable condition, discharge buttons, and connector condition.
• Try a known-good therapy cable if available.
• Do not test discharge into open air or unsafe loads.

Expected outcome: DEFIB FAULT 96 either remains present with known-good accessories or clears after replacing a defective external item.

Perform a Safe Bench Test Using Approved Test Equipment

• Connect the unit to a calibrated defibrillator analyzer or approved test load.
• Attempt an operational check according to facility procedure.
• Observe whether the unit charges normally.
• Observe whether DEFIB FAULT 96 appears when discharge is attempted.
• Record delivered energy if a discharge occurs.
• Record whether the unit aborts discharge, faults immediately, or reports the error after discharge.

Expected outcome: The error is confirmed under controlled bench conditions.

Check Whether the Fault Is Accessory-Related or Device-Related

• Test with a known-good therapy cable.
• Test with known-good pads or paddles as applicable.
• Confirm the same setup works on another compatible ZOLL unit if your facility allows that comparison.
• Re-test the affected R Series unit with the known-good setup.

Expected outcome: The fault follows the defibrillator, not the cable, pads, paddles, or test load.

Review Self-Test and Readiness Results

• Review the unit’s readiness status.
• Check for failed defibrillator self-test results.
• Print or record any available test logs if your department uses them.
• Document whether the fault occurred before or after a self-test failure.

Expected outcome: The device history supports a defibrillation system fault.

Do Not Clear and Return Without Corrective Action

• Do not return the unit to service just because the error disappears after a power cycle.
• Do not rely on one successful charge cycle if the error occurred during discharge.
• Repeat testing only as allowed by your department procedure and test equipment setup.
• Escalate if the fault returns or cannot be confidently explained by an external accessory issue.

Expected outcome: The device is not returned to clinical use with an unresolved discharge fault.

Stop When Resolved

• If the issue is traced to an external item, replace the defective therapy cable, pads, paddles, or accessory.
• Complete a full operational defibrillator test.
• Confirm charge and discharge performance on approved test equipment.
• Confirm no DEFIB FAULT 96 message returns.
• Document the corrective action.
• Return the device to service only after it passes all required checks.

Expected outcome: The defibrillator passes testing and is safe to return to service.

If the Problem Persists

If DEFIB FAULT 96 remains after power, battery, therapy cable, pads, paddles, and test setup have been ruled out, the failure should be treated as an internal defibrillation subsystem fault.

Manual information indicates DEFIB FAULT 96 means the PD module reported an error on discharge. The technical repair action is replacement of the PD engine.

• Remove the defibrillator from service.
• Label it Out of Service.
• Do not continue clinical use.
• Send it for repair, vendor service, or qualified bench evaluation.
• Document that external and accessory causes were ruled out.

Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting. A discharge-related defibrillator fault should not be chased through repeated resets or returned to service without verified repair and testing.

Clinical Use Tip

Never troubleshoot DEFIB FAULT 96 on an active patient. Move the patient to a backup defibrillator first. A defibrillator with an unresolved discharge fault should not be relied on during a code, cardioversion, pacing event, or emergency transport.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"ZOLL R Series defibrillator displayed DEFIB FAULT 96 during attempted discharge. Staff reported the unit charged but faulted when shock delivery was attempted."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Known-good power source, battery, therapy cable, pads, and test load were checked. Fault remained with the defibrillator. Error indicates PD module reported an error on discharge, consistent with likely internal PD engine failure."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Removed device from service and labeled Out of Service. Replaced with spare defibrillator for clinical area. Sent unit for repair or bench evaluation for PD engine replacement and post-repair defibrillator performance testing."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

• Alarm behavior
• Accessories swapped
• Power behavior
• Environmental factors
• Indicator lights
• Final device status

Final Thought

DEFIB FAULT 96 should be treated seriously because it involves the defibrillator discharge function. Start with patient safety, confirm the exact error behavior, rule out external accessories and test setup issues, then escalate appropriately when the fault remains. Strong documentation protects patients, staff, and the repair process.

That is successful troubleshooting.