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Annual battery load test

Procedure AC3 · battery-load-test

Overview

An operator-level maintenance test that runs the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) on battery for 60 minutes against a simulator and checks that battery voltage stays at or above 11.5 V DC (11.8 V with the optional second battery). It is scheduled every twelve months, or sooner if run time seems short, and a failed test means the batteries must be replaced.

When to perform

Annually (begin after the unit's first year), and more often if battery run time is shorter than expected.

Equipment

  • IAB simulator or load (balloon-in-tube simulator)
  • helium cylinder with at least 100 psi
  • AC outlet
  • about five hours including charging

Steps

  1. Charge the pump on AC for at least four hours.1

    A completely discharged battery recovers about 80 percent in four hours, which is the minimum state the test expects to start from.

  2. Check that the battery terminal voltage reads 13.3 V DC plus or minus 0.1 V before proceeding; if it does not after two charge cycles, there may be a charging or battery problem, so notify service.1

    A battery that cannot reach full charging voltage would fail the load test for a reason the test is not designed to find.

  3. Attach the IAB simulator or load and install a helium cylinder with at least 100 psi.1

    The test must pump a real volume against a real load to draw a representative current.

  4. Select Operator Mode, then Trigger, INTERNAL TRIGGER and CONFIRM.1

    There is no patient signal on the bench, so the internal clock provides the trigger.

  5. Start pumping.1

    Pumping is the load the battery is being tested against.

  6. Unplug the AC cord.1

    The pump switches automatically to battery, which is the condition under test.

  7. After a few seconds the battery-operation alarm activates; reset it with the corner switch and verify the power icon shows on battery, not charging and not plugged in.1

    The icon proves the pump is actually drawing from the battery rather than from a still-connected supply.

  8. Note the time and the battery voltage.1

    The start time sets the 60-minute endpoint and the starting voltage gives the baseline for the drop.

  9. Run on battery for 60 minutes, then read the voltage: it should be 11.5 V DC or higher (11.8 V with the optional second battery). Below that, the batteries must be replaced.1

    The pump shuts itself down below 10.6 V, so a battery that sags toward that after one hour cannot be relied on for the specified 90 minutes.

  10. Press Pump Off, power down, restore AC power and recharge for at least four hours.1

    The pump should be returned to full charge and kept on AC so it is ready for use.

Cautions

  • Load test batteries at twelve month intervals or more often if run time is short; replace batteries after three years and in pairs.2
  • As batteries age run time may be shorter than expected, and near end of life only a subset of the 20, 10 and 5 minute battery alarms may issue, possibly at shorter intervals than indicated.3
  • Discharging below 10.6 V gives little extra run time and may damage the batteries; the system shuts down automatically below that voltage.4
  • Keep the pump connected to AC whenever possible, even when not in use; charging occurs whether the unit is powered up or down.5
  • The DC circuit breaker in the helium compartment must be ON for battery operation and for the battery to charge.6

Related knowledge

References

  1. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 287.
  2. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. pp 230-231.
  3. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 231.
  4. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 230.
  5. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 264.
  6. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 244.
  7. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. pp 230-232.
  8. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 245.