Shortimg out

RPI may be able to assist. 

begin with going over exactly what happened with her. set up the unit just as she had it, same pencil, rem, etc. (obviously not the patient), to rule out user error. then add your perfect patient(analyzer) and test the unit. I highly doubt the nurse has any idea what "shorting out" means and she's just using a term she's heard to fit her own description.

Keep in mind the term "shorting out" doesn't have a definition in layman's terms. It's literally the same as "not working." The device should have an error, or this is a procedural error. Test the unit yourself. If it passes the test then you have to go over the connections. The most common cause of ESU errors is other ESUs being used during the surgery which leads to stacking, extension cords, and crossing of handpiece wires.