Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 at a glance
The Powerheart G5 is a public-access AED first made by Cardiac Science and now sold by ZOLL, which acquired the company in 2019. It comes in fully automatic and semi-automatic versions, and the FDA approved it in 2018.
| Detail | Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 |
|---|---|
| Made by | ZOLL Medical Corporation (developed by Cardiac Science, which ZOLL acquired in 2019) |
| Versions | Fully automatic (G5A) and semi-automatic (G5S) |
| Adult pads | Intellisense XELAED001, 24-month shelf life |
| Children | XELAED003 pediatric pads, 24-month shelf life |
| Battery | Intellisense lithium XBTAED001A, about 4 years installed |
| Self-test | Daily, weekly and every 28 days, plus a short test each time the lid closes |
| Ready indicator | Green Rescue Ready indicator |
| CPR help | Optional, with XELAED002 pads and their CPR feedback device |
| Standby range | 68 to 86°F (20 to 30°C) long term |
| FDA approval | December 7, 2018 (P160033) |
Both versions guide the rescuer with voice and text prompts. The fully automatic G5 shocks without a button press. The semi-automatic G5 has a shock button that lights red when a shock is ready, and the rescuer presses it. The FDA's summary lists four model numbers: G5A-80A and G5A-80C (automatic) and G5S-80A and G5S-80C (semi-automatic). The A models ship with standard adult pads and the C models with the CPR feedback pads; ZOLL's recall records show many more catalog numbers for language and configuration variants.
Cardiac Science developed the G5 and held its FDA approval. ZOLL completed its purchase of Cardiac Science in 2019, and its 2023 user's guide lists Cardiac Science, Powerheart and Intellisense as ZOLL trademarks.
Powerheart G5 fully automatic (G5A) and Powerheart G5 semi-automatic (G5S): how they differ
- Powerheart G5 fully automatic (G5A): Delivers the shock without the rescuer pressing anything; G5A-80A ships with standard adult pads and G5A-80C with the CPR feedback pads.
- Powerheart G5 semi-automatic (G5S): Has a shock button that lights red when a shock is ready for the rescuer to press; G5S-80A and G5S-80C pair with the same two pad options.
Other Cardiac Science Powerheart (now ZOLL) models we cover: Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 Plus and Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 Pro.
Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 pads
The Powerheart G5 uses Intellisense adult pads, model XELAED001, with a 24-month shelf life. The AED reads the pads' expiration date, which shows through a window in the lid; replace them by that date and after every rescue.
The adult pads, XELAED001, are non-polarized, meaning the two pads are interchangeable, and they're for patients over 8 or over 55 pounds. Keep a fresh, unopened pair plugged in at all times. The AED identifies the pad type and reads its expiration date, and the date shows through a window in the lid, so you can check it without opening the AED. In diagnostic mode, the AED reports PADS EXPIRED once the pads pass their use-by date and PADS USED after they've been through a rescue.
CPR feedback is an option. It needs the XELAED002 pads, which come with a palm-sized device that measures how deep and how fast each compression is. All three G5 pad types have a 24-month shelf life, and all are single use.
Using the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 on children
Yes. For a child 8 or younger or 55 pounds (25 kg) or less, ZOLL says to use XELAED003 pediatric pads, which lower the shock energy, and to use the installed adult pads if no child pads are on hand.
For a child 8 or younger or 55 pounds (25 kg) or less, use the XELAED003 pediatric pads if they're available, and don't hold up treatment to check the child's age or weight. With pediatric pads, the G5's shocks escalate from 22 to 82 joules, against 95 to 354 joules with adult pads. If you have no child pads, use the adult pads already in the AED.
Pediatric pads aren't stored plugged in. Connect them only for a child rescue, then reconnect adult XELAED001 pads before the AED goes back into standby. The CPR feedback device that comes with XELAED002 pads isn't for children under 8 or under 55 pounds; if those pads are used on a small child, set the device beside the child, since the pads work without it.
For the general rules on child pads, ages and placement, see our guide to pediatric AED pads.
Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 battery
The Powerheart G5 uses the non-rechargeable Intellisense lithium battery, XBTAED001A. It can wait up to 5 years from its manufacture date before you install it, and lasts about 4 years in standby once it's in.
The user's guide calls the Intellisense lithium battery model XBTAED001; it's sold as XBTAED001A. It isn't rechargeable, and it keeps a record of its own use. ZOLL gives it two figures. The 5-year shelf life, counted from the manufacture date, is how long it can wait before installation. Once installed, a new battery lasts about 4 years in standby, or typically gives 420 shocks (at least 250) or 16 hours of operation. ZOLL's product page calls the 4-year figure a shelf life.
Green LEDs on the battery gauge show the remaining capacity; when the red LED lights, replace the battery. At BATTERY LOW about 9 shocks remain. At REPLACE BATTERY NOW, the AED beeps every 30 seconds and its Rescue Ready indicator goes red. Let a new battery warm to room temperature before you insert it. The aviation (TSO) version of the battery is XBTAED005A.
How other models compare is in our AED battery replacement guide.
Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 part numbers and shelf life
These are the parts a Powerheart G5 owner replaces, with the model numbers from ZOLL's user's guide. All three pad types share the same 24-month shelf life.
| Part | Part number | Shelf life | Replace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intellisense adult pads Adults, preinstalled | XELAED001 | 24 months | By the use-by date, or after any rescue |
| Intellisense adult pads with CPR feedback device (ICPR) Adults, with CPR feedback | XELAED002 | 24 months | By the use-by date, or after any rescue |
| Intellisense pediatric pads Children 8 or younger or 55 lb or less | XELAED003 | 24 months | By the use-by date, or after any rescue |
| Intellisense lithium battery Battery (non-rechargeable) | XBTAED001A | 4 years installed (5-year shelf life before installation) | After about 4 years installed, or when the red gauge LED lights |
The FDA's list of approved accessories adds letter suffixes to these pad numbers (for example XELAED001A), so the number on your package may end in a letter. ZOLL doesn't say whether the 24-month pad life counts from manufacture, so go by the use-by date the AED shows through the lid.
Need replacements? Total AEDs, AED Log’s sister store, sells pads, batteries and the AED itself for the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5. Any authorized distributor works; the FDA advises buying AED accessories only from authorized sources.
Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 self-test and status indicator
The Powerheart G5 tests itself daily, weekly and every 28 days, and runs a shorter check whenever the lid closes. A green Rescue Ready indicator means it's ready; red with a beep every 30 seconds means it found a problem.
The daily self-test checks the battery, pads, electronics and buttons. The weekly test adds a partial high-voltage charge and checks the CPR feedback device. The monthly test, every 28 days, charges to full energy and tests the battery under load. A shorter test runs each time the lid closes.
If the Rescue Ready indicator is red but the service light is off, close and reopen the lid, then check diagnostic mode by holding both buttons for 3 seconds. A red Rescue Ready indicator together with the red service light means the AED needs authorized service. ZOLL's 2025 correction warns that long exposure to extreme temperature or humidity can make a G5 fail its self-test (Error Code 501), so keep an eye on the results.
If the indicator ever shows a problem, our guide to AED self-test failures and status lights covers what to do first.
Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 maintenance checklist
ZOLL asks Powerheart G5 owners to check the Rescue Ready indicator, the battery gauge, the pads and the prompts at least once a month, and to prepare the AED again after every rescue.
- The Rescue Ready indicator is green and the AED isn't beeping.
- The battery gauge shows green LEDs, not the red one.
- The pad date shows in the lid window and hasn't passed, and the pad package is sealed and undamaged.
- With the lid open, the voice prompts and display work, and every LED and button lights.
- Any XELAED003 pediatric pads are sealed and in date, and stored unplugged.
- The AED stays between 68 and 86°F (20 and 30°C), the range ZOLL tested for long-term standby.
After the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 is used
- Open the lid and, if you want a record, download the rescue data.
- Fit and connect a new pair of adult pads.
- Check that the pad and service lights are off and the battery gauge shows charge.
- Close the lid and confirm the Rescue Ready indicator is green.
Print our free AED inspection checklist to record each check, or read the full AED maintenance guide.
Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 recalls
The FDA's recall database shows three Powerheart G5 recall events since 2019. Two are still open: a 2025 correction for self-test failures after long exposure to extreme temperature or humidity, and a 2024 notice about shipping film left on semi-automatic units.
| Date | Product | Class | What it’s about and what to do | Status | FDA record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 13, 2025 | Powerheart G5 (automatic and semi-automatic models) | II | Storage outside the temperature or humidity range can cause a self-test failure (Error Code 501). Watch self-tests and store within the range on ZOLL’s notice. | Open | Z-1316-2025 |
| May 31, 2024 | Powerheart G5 semi-automatic | II | Shipping film left on the front panel can block the shock button. Peel it off and confirm on ZOLL’s form. | Open | Z-2324-2024 |
| Jun 4, 2019 | Powerheart G5 (5 units) | II | Supplier circuit-board documentation incomplete. | Closed 2021 | Z-1938-2019 |
Every AED recall, by manufacturer, is on our AED recall list.
How AED Log tracks the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5
In AED Log you pick the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 from the built-in catalog, record its pads and battery with their lot numbers and dates, and get a warning before either expires, plus a monthly inspection reminder.
Each pad set and battery is its own record with its own expiration date, so a pad set or battery never lapses unnoticed. Choose the part from the catalog and its shelf life fills in the expiration date for you; you can always type the date printed on the package instead. Alerts go out by email, Slack, Teams or Discord to the people responsible for that site, and the monthly inspection checklist asks about the status indicator, the pads and the battery. See pad and battery expiration tracking and AED management for more, or see every AED model.
Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 FAQ
How long do Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 pads last?
ZOLL gives all three Powerheart G5 pads a 24-month shelf life: XELAED001 adult, XELAED002 adult with CPR feedback, and XELAED003 pediatric. The AED reads the expiration date, which shows through the lid. Replace pads by that date and after every rescue.
How long does the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 battery last?
The Intellisense lithium battery (XBTAED001A) can wait up to 5 years from its manufacture date before installation, then lasts about 4 years in standby once installed. Replace it sooner if the gauge's red LED lights or the AED says REPLACE BATTERY NOW.
Can you use the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 on a child?
Yes. ZOLL says to use XELAED003 pediatric pads for a child 8 or younger or 55 pounds or less; they lower the shock energy. If no child pads are available, use the installed adult pads, and don't delay treatment to check age or weight.
Is the Powerheart G5 made by ZOLL or Cardiac Science?
Both, in turn. Cardiac Science developed the G5 and won FDA approval for it in 2018. ZOLL completed its acquisition of Cardiac Science in 2019 and now sells the G5 under the ZOLL name, with its own manuals and recall notices.