ZOLL R Series

Asset Type

Defibrillator

Manufacturer

ZOLL

Model

R Series

What This Guide Helps With

This guide helps troubleshoot PACER FAULT 115 on a ZOLL R Series defibrillator. This error indicates a pacer failure during POST, which may disable or prevent reliable transcutaneous pacing. Because pacing is a critical therapy function, the device should not be trusted for patient pacing until the fault is evaluated, external causes are ruled out, and required operational checks pass.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

• If the ZOLL R Series is connected to a patient or being prepared for use, remove it from patient use immediately if pacing may be needed.
• Use another defibrillator or pacing-capable device if transcutaneous pacing is required.
• Do not rely on the unit for pacing while PACER FAULT 115 is active.
• If the device is in a clinical area, notify staff that pacing function may not be available.

Verify the Reported Error and Behavior

• Power the ZOLL R Series on and confirm that the exact message is PACER FAULT 115.
• Observe whether the error appears during startup or POST.
• Document whether the error appears every time, intermittently, or only after certain actions.
• Check whether pacing is disabled, unavailable, or fails to start.
• Look for any additional messages, such as defib-related faults, battery warnings, or general service messages.

Check Battery and AC Power

• Confirm the unit is connected to a known-good AC power source.
• Check that the AC power indicator behaves normally.
• Install a known-good, charged ZOLL battery.
• Power cycle the device and observe whether the fault returns.
• If PACER FAULT 115 clears after correcting power, complete the required operational check before returning the unit to service.

Inspect External Pacing Accessories

• Inspect the therapy cable connection and confirm the cable is fully seated.
• Check for bent pins, cracked connectors, contamination, fluid intrusion, or damaged cable strain relief.
• Connect a known-good therapy cable if available.
• Use compatible ZOLL pads or a proper test load according to your department process.
• Rule out cable, pad, connector, and test-load issues before assuming the device itself has failed.

Check for Physical Damage or Contamination

• Inspect the defibrillator for drops, impact damage, cracked housing, damaged controls, liquid exposure, corrosion, or contamination around connectors.
• Inspect the therapy connector area closely.
• Ask whether the device was recently cleaned, transported, dropped, or exposed to fluids.
• If damage or fluid intrusion is found, remove the device from service and send it for repair evaluation.

Attempt a Controlled Power Cycle

• Turn the device off.
• Disconnect AC power.
• Remove the battery.
• Wait briefly.
• Reinstall a known-good battery.
• Reconnect AC power.
• Power the device back on and observe startup behavior.
• If the error clears, continue with functional checks before returning the unit to service.

Run the Appropriate Readiness or Operational Check

• Run the facility-approved ZOLL R Series operational check.
• Verify that the device completes its readiness checks.
• Confirm defibrillation and pacing-related checks according to your department’s approved test process.
• Document any failed test steps or repeated messages.
• Do not return the device to service based only on the message disappearing.

Isolate the Failure Pattern

• Determine whether the fault follows the battery or AC power source.
• Determine whether the fault follows the therapy cable.
• Determine whether the fault follows the pads or test load.
• Inspect whether a damaged connector is contributing to the issue.
• If known-good power, accessories, pads, test load, and connectors have been verified and the fault remains, suspect an internal pacer or therapy subsystem failure.

Stop When Resolved

• If the fault clears after correcting an external issue and the device passes all required checks, return the device to service.
• Document what was corrected.
• Notify the clinical area that the unit passed testing and is available.
• Do not return the unit to service based only on the message disappearing. It should pass the required operational check first.

If the Problem Persists

If PACER FAULT 115 continues after confirming power, battery, therapy cable, pads or test load, connector condition, and physical condition, remove the defibrillator from service. External causes have been ruled out, and the repeated POST fault indicates a likely internal pacer or therapy subsystem failure.

• Remove the device from clinical use.
• Label it Out of Service.
• Do not leave it available as a backup defibrillator if pacing may be needed.
• Send the device for bench evaluation or repair.
• Escalate through your facility’s service process or ZOLL support/vendor repair pathway.

Clinical Use Tip

Never troubleshoot PACER FAULT 115 on an active patient. Move the patient to a backup defibrillator or pacing-capable device first, then evaluate the failed unit. A defibrillator with unresolved pacing faults should not be trusted for emergency pacing.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"ZOLL R Series reported PACER FAULT 115 during startup/POST. Pacing function may be disabled or unavailable. Unit removed from clinical use for evaluation."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"PACER FAULT 115 reproduced during startup. Battery, AC power source, therapy cable, pads/test load, and external connections checked. Fault persisted, indicating likely internal pacer/therapy subsystem failure."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Removed device from service, labeled Out of Service, and sent for bench evaluation/repair. Clinical area notified to use alternate pacing-capable defibrillator."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

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

Final Thought

PACER FAULT 115 should be treated seriously because it involves a critical therapy function. Start with patient safety, verify the exact error, rule out simple external causes, and avoid chasing internal repairs in the clinical area. If the fault persists after basic isolation, escalation is the correct repair path. Accurate CCR documentation protects patients, clinical staff, and the equipment history.

That is successful troubleshooting.