The most common B. Braun Infusomat Space problems we find are damaged keypads, keyboard flex cables and displays, pumps that are due for (or fail) PM and calibration, main board faults that show up as a numbered device alarm, damaged or corroded P2 connectors from fluid getting into the pump, and discharged, expired or missing battery packs. In a recent sample of our reports, more than half of the pumps had two or more hardware problems at once, and much of the fluid and impact damage can be avoided with careful cleaning and handling.
The Infusomat Space is B. Braun’s large-volume pump for the Space system, often stacked with Perfusor Space syringe pumps. Every Infusomat Space sent to our Tustin, California lab gets a full diagnostic evaluation and an estimate before any work begins, and our findings keep pointing to the same handful of problems on Version F, G and U pumps alike.
Below are the findings that come up most, what causes them, and how to avoid them. On-screen messages use the wording from the Infusomat Space Instructions for Use (software 586U).
Source: IPR Medical service records for Infusomat Space pumps (Versions F, G and U) that received a full diagnostic evaluation. The “more than half” figure comes from a sample of our most recent reports. Most pumps have more than one finding, so percentages add to more than 100.
1. Keypad, Keyboard Cable and Display Faults
Found in 34% of pumps we evaluate (keypad 25%, display 16%)The most common area of damage is the front of the pump: keypads with buttons that stop responding, keyboard flex cables that are pinched, bent or corroded, and LCDs that are blank, dim, cracked or show lines across the screen. In our records, a single damaged keyboard flex cable or keypad can cause a blank screen, keys that work only intermittently, or a pump that will not turn on at all.
Why it happens
The Infusomat Space uses a non-numeric arrow keypad for every programming step, and the front of the pump takes the first hit when a pump is bumped or dropped. Fluid that runs down the front and into the case corrodes the keypad connector and flex cable, and we regularly find flex cables that have been pinched or bent inside the case.
How to avoid it
- Press keys with a fingertip, not a pen or other hard object.
- Never spray disinfectant directly on the pump; use a dampened, not saturated, cloth, as the Instructions for Use direct.
- Take any pump with a cracked front panel out of service so fluid cannot reach the keypad and display.
2. Technical Safety Check and Calibration Due
Found in 32% of pumps we evaluate (due for, or failing, PM and calibration)Nearly one in three pumps arrives due for PM and calibration, or fails a calibration step during our evaluation. The Instructions for Use recommend a documented Technical Safety Check every two years, and many of the pumps we receive are on annual schedules set by their facilities. The operating alarm Calibrate device means the pump should be returned to service for calibration.
Why it happens
Pumps that float between units or sit in equipment rooms are easy to miss in a PM schedule. A pump that “works fine” can still fail calibration; in our records the door, safety clamp and pressure sensors are the usual culprits. Some pumps also arrive on out-of-date software; the Instructions for Use recommend running the same software version on every pump at an institution. We update pump software as part of service; ask us about version upgrades.
How to avoid it
- Schedule the Technical Safety Check at least every two years, and document it, as B. Braun recommends; follow your facility’s policy if it calls for a shorter interval.
- The manual requires a dropped pump, or one exposed to force, to be checked by service before it goes back into use.
- Treat Calibrate device as a service call, not a nuisance alarm.
3. Main Board Faults and Device Alarms
Found in 29% of pumps we evaluateMain board faults are the most common electronic finding. They show up as a numbered device alarm, a pump that will not power up, intermittent behavior, or a pump that will not connect to B. Braun’s HiBaSeD service program. Some main boards arrive corroded, and the worst are beyond repair. About one in five pumps arrives with a device alarm code on record, and about one in 15 has a failed or corroded loudspeaker, which in our records most often shows up as device alarm 2014 or 2015.
Why it happens
Fluid is the main enemy. B. Braun warns that fluid exposure at the pump’s openings or electrical connections can cause short circuits, corrosion or breakdown of sensitive electrical components.
How to avoid it
- Follow the manual for any device alarm: switch the pump off and back on. If the device alarm repeats, the pump must be sent for service.
- If a pump is exposed to fluid, swap it out, keep it unplugged, and have it inspected for damage and residual moisture before it is used again, as the manual directs.
4. P2 Connector Damage and Fluid Corrosion
Found in 29% of pumps we evaluate (P2 connector 21%)The P2 socket on the back of the pump is the connection for the Power Supply SP, SpaceStation, combi lead, staff call and service lead. We regularly find P2 connectors that are corroded, bent or broken, so the pump will not charge or connect to the service program. About one in ten pumps has a corroded P2 connector, and about one in six shows corrosion or fluid damage somewhere inside: main board, keypad cable, EMC shield or inner frame.
Why it happens
The connector is on the back of the pump, where cleaning solution and IV fluid that run down the pump can reach it; the manual warns that moisture in the P2 or P3 connectors can cause corrosion or plating breakdown. Plugs that are twisted out or yanked by the cord wear the socket and its plating; the manual allows no more than three plugs stacked in P2.
How to avoid it
- During cleaning, cover the P2 socket with the P2 plug of a power supply or combi lead that is not connected to a wall outlet, as the Instructions for Use suggest.
- After cleaning, inspect the connectors for moisture and plating breakdown, and let them dry before plugging the pump in.
- Pull the connector straight out by its body; do not twist or bend it, and do not pull on the cord.
- Replace any connector that shows damage or plating breakdown before the pump returns to service.
5. Discharged, Expired or Missing Batteries
Found in 20% of pumps we evaluateThe Infusomat Space runs on a NiMH or Li-Ion Battery Pack SP; WiFi-equipped pumps use a Li-Ion pack with a built-in wireless module. We find packs that are fully discharged, expired, unable to hold a charge, or missing. On screen these show up as Battery nearly empty, Battery empty or No battery inserted.
Why it happens
The manual says a battery can be charged and discharged approximately 500 times before its lifetime decreases, and that the battery slowly discharges itself when the pump is not connected to AC power, even when it is not operating. Pumps stored for months without a charge, and pumps that skip the built-in battery maintenance cycle, lose run time.
How to avoid it
- Run the battery maintenance cycle when the pump asks for it (every 30 days when the feature is enabled). It takes about twelve hours.
- Before storing a pump for more than five months, fully charge the battery pack and then remove it, as the manual requires.
- If the battery symbol blinks continuously for more than an hour on AC power, have the battery checked and replaced if needed.
- Use only battery packs released by B. Braun for the Space pump.
6. Door Bolt, Door Drive and Safety Clamp Problems
Found in 19% of pumps we evaluateThe door closes with a motorized latch. We find defective door bolts and door bolt drive motors (about one in seven pumps), missing or damaged emergency aperture covers, broken hinge covers and springs, and defective safety clamps, the pump-based free-flow protection inside the door. Symptoms include a door that will not open or close, repeated Danger of FreeFlow – Clamp IV line alarms, and pumps that fail door calibration.
Why it happens
Forcing the door closed on a set that is not seated correctly strains the latch, the door hook and the drive. Emergency aperture covers are also easy to lose once they have been removed to open a stuck door with the crank key.
How to avoid it
- Do not force the door closed. The manual says if the door is too difficult to close, check the IV line and the green anti-free-flow clip for proper loading.
- If the door hook appears damaged or broken, remove the pump from service, as the manual directs.
- After using the crank key on a stuck door, refit the emergency aperture cover and send the pump in.
7. Cracked Housings, Front Panels and Covers
Found in 18% of pumps we evaluateWe see cracked or broken operating units and front panels, damaged top and bottom cases, broken front doors and bezels, bent inner frames, and missing battery compartment covers.
Why it happens
Drops, collisions during transport and pumps that fall from an unlocked pole clamp all crack housings. The Infusomat Space is rated IP22, drip protected for horizontal use, so a cracked case opens a direct path for fluid to reach the electronics.
How to avoid it
- Make sure the pump clicks into the pole clamp and the clamp is locked on the pole before letting go.
- Do not use a pole clamp that is damaged or missing clamp grids, as the manual cautions.
- Take any pump with a cracked case or missing battery cover out of service until it is repaired.
8. Pumping Mechanism, Slide Guide and Front Metal Sheet
Found in 16% of pumps we evaluateThe peristaltic pumping mechanism, its slide guide and the front metal sheet that holds the set against it all wear or break. We find damaged slide guides, cracked hooks and hinges on the front metal sheet, torn membranes and failed mechanism assemblies, which show up as a Drive blocked alarm, failed flow-accuracy or occlusion tests, or a device alarm when the door is operated.
Why it happens
Sets loaded under tension, doors forced shut, and sharp objects used near the pumping area all damage these parts.
How to avoid it
- Load the set as the manual describes: right to left, silicone segment not stretched or twisted, then firmly into the air sensor guide.
- Clean the peristaltic fingers and membrane with a soft cloth, never a sharp object, and make sure the line guide cover audibly locks back in place.
- For Drive blocked, remove and reinsert the tubing; if it persists, the manual says the pump must be sent for service.
9. Pressure and Air-in-Line Sensors
Found in 9% of pumps we evaluateThe pump has an upstream pressure sensor, a downstream pressure sensor and an ultrasonic air sensor. We find sensors that are defective, corroded or out of range, which shows up as Downstream occlusion or Upstream occlusion – above pump alarms on a clear line, failed occlusion tests, or air alarms that will not clear.
Why it happens
Fluid, residue and rough handling take a toll. B. Braun has also issued Class I corrections for upstream occlusion sensors on certain serial numbers that could cause false occlusion alarms; our Infusomat Space recall and software versions guide covers them. If a pump’s serial number is on that correction, follow B. Braun’s notice; the sensor replacement under the correction is performed by B. Braun field service.
How to avoid it
- For occlusion alarms, check for kinks, closed roller clamps or stopcocks, filter patency and the IV site first, as the manual directs.
- If occlusion alarms repeat on a clear line, take the pump out of service and have the sensors tested.
Problems Travel Together
In a recent sample of our reports, more than half of the Infusomat Space pumps we evaluated had two or more hardware problems besides a discharged battery. A drop that cracks the front panel often damages the keypad cable too, and fluid that corrodes the P2 connector often reaches the main board. That is why we evaluate the whole pump and list every finding on one estimate.
Infusomat Space On-Screen Message Quick Guide
Use this table to narrow down what your pump is telling you before you call or send it in.
| Message or symptom | Most likely cause | What to do first |
|---|---|---|
| Device alarm with a code | Internal fault: main board, speaker, display, drive or battery circuit | Switch off and on. If it repeats, the manual says the pump must be sent for service. |
| Calibrate device | Calibration needed | Return the pump to service for calibration. |
| Battery nearly empty or Battery empty | Battery discharged | Plug in immediately. After Battery empty the alarm runs 3 minutes, then the pump turns off. |
| Downstream occlusion or Upstream occlusion – above pump on a clear line | Pressure sensor fault | Check clamps, kinks, filters and the IV site; if it repeats, send the pump in and check notices for your serial number. |
| Danger of FreeFlow – Clamp IV line | Anti-free-flow clip not inserted, or a safety clamp or door fault | Close the roller clamp, open the door and reinsert the line; if it repeats, send the pump in. |
| Door will not open or close | Door bolt, door drive or door hook fault | Do not force it. Use the crank key from the battery cover to open a stuck door, then send the pump in. |
Device Alarm Codes We See Most
The Instructions for Use do not list what each device alarm code means. This table is an IPR Medical finding, not a B. Braun definition: it lists the codes that appear most often in our service records and, for each, what the code most often traced to in our lab. The same code can have more than one cause, so treat this as a starting point, not a diagnosis. The manufacturer’s Instructions for Use and service documentation remain the authority.
| Code | What we most often find |
|---|---|
| 2014, 2015 | Defective or corroded loudspeaker; less often the main board |
| 2111 | Depleted or defective battery pack; less often the main board |
| 2119, 2121 | Defective LCD, keypad or a pinched keyboard flex cable |
| 2035 | Slide guide or mechanism damage, door drive faults or the main board |
| 2203 | Pump drive motor, motor cable or main board |
Infusomat Space Maintenance Checklist
- Technical Safety Check at least every two years (or on your facility’s schedule), documented, and after any drop or impact.
- Battery maintenance cycle run when prompted; batteries fully charged and removed before storage of more than five months.
- P2 and P3 connectors inspected for corrosion, bent pins and plating breakdown.
- Keypad, display, front panel, door, door hook, hinge covers, emergency aperture cover and battery cover inspected.
- Alarm tones and LEDs checked during the start-up self-test.
- Software version recorded from the start-up screen or Status menu.
Why Customers Choose IPR Medical
Free evaluation and shipping label
U.S. customers get a free inbound shipping label and a free evaluation. Request a free label.
Estimate before any work
Every pump gets a full diagnostic evaluation and a written estimate. Nothing is charged until you approve it.
Versions F, G and U
We repair Infusomat Space pumps across software versions, plus Perfusor Space syringe pumps, and we update pump software as part of service; ask us about version upgrades. Note the version on your RMA.
Fast evaluation, less downtime
We evaluate pumps within 1–2 business days of receiving them.
ISO 9001:2015 certified
Repairs are performed in-house at our Tustin, California facility and tested to OEM specifications under our certified quality system.
90-day repair warranty
Every repair is backed by our 90-day warranty. See our B. Braun infusion pump repair page for details.
Need a replacement instead of a repair? We also sell recertified (refurbished) Infusomat Space Version U and Infusomat Space Version G pumps, and a pump that is not worth repairing can be credited toward a recertified unit. Find manuals and specifications in our Infusomat Space manuals guide, or browse our Manuals & Documentation Library.
Infusomat Space Repair FAQ
What are the most common Infusomat Space problems?
In our service records, the most common findings are keypad, keyboard cable and display damage (about one in three pumps), pumps that are due for (or fail) PM and calibration, main board faults, damaged or corroded P2 connectors, and discharged, expired or missing batteries.
What should I do when an Infusomat Space shows a device alarm?
The Instructions for Use say to switch the pump off, then on again. If the device alarm repeats, the pump must be sent for service. Write down the code; it helps the technician narrow down the cause.
Why is the P2 connector on my Infusomat Space corroded?
The P2 socket on the back of the pump is exposed to cleaning solution and IV fluid. B. Braun advises covering it during cleaning with the P2 plug of an unplugged power supply or combi lead and inspecting it before reconnecting power. Replace a corroded connector before the pump returns to service.
How long does an Infusomat Space battery last?
The 586U Instructions for Use list about 4 hours at 100 mL/h for the Li-Ion pack with wireless active, 12 hours with wireless inactive, and 13 hours for the NiMH pack at 100 mL/h. Run time drops as the battery ages.
My Infusomat Space door is stuck closed. What do I do?
The manual describes using the crank key stored inside the battery compartment cover to remove the emergency aperture cover and turn the door open. Then send the pump in; a stuck door usually means a door bolt or door drive fault.
Which Infusomat Space versions do you repair?
IPR Medical repairs Infusomat Space pumps on Versions F, G and U, as well as Perfusor Space pumps, and updates pump software as part of service; ask us about version upgrades. Note the version on your RMA request; for other versions, call us. Our recall and software versions guide explains how to check it.
Who repairs B. Braun Infusomat Space pumps?
IPR Medical repairs and tests Infusomat Space pumps in-house at its ISO 9001:2015-certified facility in Tustin, California. U.S. customers get a free inbound shipping label and a free evaluation, and you approve the estimate before any work begins.
Is Your Infusomat Space Acting Up?
Tell us what the pump is doing and we will help you decide the next step. Call Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM Pacific, or contact us online.
B. Braun, Infusomat, Perfusor, SpaceStation and HiBaSeD are trademarks of their respective owners, including B. Braun Melsungen AG and its affiliates, and are used here only to identify the original manufacturer’s equipment. IPR Medical is an ISO 9001:2015-certified independent service organization and is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by B. Braun or any other original equipment manufacturer. On-screen message wording is taken from the Infusomat Space Instructions for Use (software 586U). All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used only to identify those owners’ products; IPR Medical is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by any of these trademark owners. Statistics in this article are drawn from IPR Medical’s own service records and describe the pumps we have evaluated; they are not a statement about the reliability of the product as a whole.