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What This Guide Helps With
This guide helps troubleshoot PACER FAULT 117 on a ZOLL R Series defibrillator. This error indicates a pacer functional safety failure while the device is running, which may disable or compromise transcutaneous pacing during operation.
Because pacing is a life-support function, this fault should be treated as a serious patient safety issue. The device should not be trusted for pacing until external causes are ruled out and the unit passes required testing or receives qualified service evaluation.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- If the ZOLL R Series is connected to a patient, do not troubleshoot the fault while patient care depends on the device.
- If pacing is needed, transfer the patient to another defibrillator/pacer immediately.
- Do not rely on the affected unit for transcutaneous pacing while PACER FAULT 117 is active.
- If monitoring or defibrillation may also be needed, make sure a known-good replacement device is available.
Verify the Reported Error and Behavior
- Power the unit on in a safe, non-patient-care area.
- Confirm that the displayed error is PACER FAULT 117.
- Document whether the error appears during startup, self-test, when entering pacer mode, while pacing output is selected, or intermittently during operation.
- Check whether related messages are also displayed, such as PACER DISABLED, DEFIB DISABLED, TEST FAILED, or other fault codes.
Remove the Device From Clinical Service
- Remove the defibrillator from the care area if the fault is active or repeatable.
- Apply an Out of Service tag.
- Notify clinical staff that the unit is not available for patient use.
- Place a known-good defibrillator/pacer in the clinical area as a replacement.
Check Power Source and Battery Condition
- Install a known-good, charged battery.
- Connect the unit to AC power.
- Confirm the AC power indicator responds normally.
- Inspect the battery contacts for contamination, looseness, corrosion, or damage.
- Power cycle the unit after confirming stable power.
Check Therapy Cable and Pacing Accessories
- Disconnect and inspect the multifunction therapy cable.
- Check for bent pins, damaged connectors, cracked strain reliefs, contamination, or fluid intrusion.
- Reconnect the therapy cable firmly.
- If available, test with a known-good therapy cable.
- Use approved test pads or a defibrillator analyzer/pacer load for bench testing.
Check for Obvious Physical or Fluid Damage
- Inspect the housing for cracks, impact damage, missing parts, or loose controls.
- Check the therapy connector area closely.
- Inspect the battery well and AC power connection.
- Look for signs of fluid contamination, unusual odor, abnormal heat, or visible damage.
- If damage or contamination is found, keep the device out of service and escalate for repair evaluation.
Run an Operational Check in a Bench Environment
- Connect the unit to a defibrillator analyzer capable of pacer testing.
- Start the unit normally and observe whether PACER FAULT 117 returns.
- If pacer mode is accessible, verify whether pacing output can be selected and detected by the analyzer.
- Do not repeatedly force operation if the fault returns.
- Document whether the fault is repeatable and whether pacer output is present or absent.
Determine Whether the Issue Is Accessory-Related or Device-Related
- If the error clears after replacing a battery, therapy cable, pads, or test load, repeat the operational check with the known-good setup.
- If the error remains with known-good power, cable, and test load, treat the issue as device-related.
- If other therapy-related faults appear, document all displayed messages.
- Do not return the unit to service unless it passes all required monitor, defib, and pacer checks according to local Clinical Engineering procedure.
If the Problem Persists
If PACER FAULT 117 remains after checking the power source, battery, therapy cable, pacing accessories, test load, and external condition, the common external causes have been ruled out.
A persistent PACER FAULT 117 should be treated as an internal pacing or therapy subsystem failure.
- Keep the unit removed from service.
- Leave the Out of Service tag attached.
- Send the device for repair, vendor evaluation, or qualified bench service.
- Do not return the unit to service based only on a power cycle or temporary clearing of the fault.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot PACER FAULT 117 on an active patient. If pacing may be required, move the patient to a backup defibrillator/pacer first and continue patient care with reliable equipment.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"ZOLL R Series defibrillator reported PACER FAULT 117. Staff reported a pacer fault while the unit was running, creating concern that transcutaneous pacing may be unavailable or unsafe."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"PACER FAULT 117 was confirmed during bench evaluation. Battery, AC power, therapy cable, and external pacing accessories were checked. Fault remained with known-good external setup, indicating likely internal pacer or therapy subsystem failure."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Device was removed from service and labeled Out of Service. Replacement defibrillator was placed in the clinical area. Unit was sent for repair or qualified bench evaluation due to persistent pacer functional safety fault."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Alarm behavior
- Accessories swapped
- Power behavior
- Environmental factors
- Indicator lights
- Final device status
Final Thought
PACER FAULT 117 should be treated seriously because it involves the pacing function of a defibrillator. Clinical Engineering should confirm the error, rule out simple external causes, protect patient safety, and escalate the device when the fault persists. Clear CCR documentation helps show what was checked, why the unit was removed, and what action was taken.
That is successful troubleshooting.