My older mobile home has a hard wired smoke detector that needs replacing. I've lived in the home for 6 years now & I don't have a clue as to when it was installed. Will I be able to find another hardwired model? Is it better to switch to battery operated? If I find a hardwired model, should I do this change myself or let a handyman with electrical experience install a hardwired detector?
2007-02-18 17:43:50 · 4 answers · asked by Belle 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Hardwired smoke detectors normally have a small plug that goes in the back. If you are really lucky (even buying the same brand), the new unit will take the old plug and base.
It is more likely you will have to turn off the power, cut the old plug off or undo the wire nuts and match the new wires to the old. You should find a black, a white, and another color. The black and white are power and neutral and the other color is the connector to the other smoke detectors (if any) in the unit. The interconnect sets off all the detectors if one smells smoke.
Hardwired is required by code in many places. I would favor getting a slightly more expensive hardwired with battery backup, which trips the local sound without passing it on if there is a power failure. One reason for losing power would be an electrical fire.
2007-02-18 18:22:44 · answer #1 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most building codes require that smoke detector are hard wired, so finding a replacement should not be a problem. As for changing it out, it depends on your comfort level if you want to do it or not. Since it is hardwired you can always shut the breaker off, killing all power to it. After that it is just a matter of matching the colored wires together (white to white, black to black and so on). It is a pretty simple job and should only take about 10 minutes. If you hire it done it will still only take them about ten minutes, but they will probably charge you a minimum of a hour just for showing up.
2007-02-18 18:14:19 · answer #2 · answered by Scott 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What do you mean "hardwired"? They could be either AC or DC. They may be interconnected (with a third wire) or not. They should be replaced every TEN years (not 20). You can just buy a similar type and pigtail the wiring to the wires that went to the old plug, but you're MUCH better off hiring a professional, even if they're low-voltage sensors. If decide to do safety alarms "DIY", you may void any warranty, not to mention any UL listing, and any alarm system inspection, meaning that you are buying the entire risk (economic, if not death or injury) because your fire/liability insurance might not have to pay when "something goes wrong".
2016-05-24 06:31:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very Simple changeout Belle, just shut off the power and match the wires, there will only be two.
2007-02-18 18:19:25 · answer #4 · answered by Marsh 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋