Home Smoke Detector Problem

By Dave Rongey Summary: To make the correct wiring connections for home smoke detectors you must identify which type of smoke detectors you have in your home, otherwise they may not function properly. © By: Dave Rongey

How to Repair a Smoke Detector Problem

DIY Electrical Wiring Video Home Electrical Wiring Tips NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos Will Display at the End of This Video So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right! Check out my YouTube Channel: » AskTheElectrician « and Subscribe!

Electrical Question about a Smoke Detector Problem:

Some of our smoke detectors have lost AC power.

I've tried looking for loose connections in adjacent detectors and close-by receptacle/switch boxes, but have found none.

Are these all on the same circuit? If so, then the power lines would go from the 'first' to the 'last' in the house, and so my problem would have to be between the last working one and the first non-working one?

Any idea how to figure out what's up?

Thanks, Brian.

Hi Brian, Great Electrical Repair Question!
If you have interconnected smoke detectors, which would be indicated by the third wire, typically yellow, then all of the smoke detectors should be powered by a common feed. It is very common that this circuit be an existing lighting circuit so that in the event of a power loss it would be noticeable. You are correct to inspect each smoke detector junction box and look for a loose connection

Be aware that these detectors do go bad also, so the voltage at each junction box should be verified. You could swap bad detectors with known good ones to test as well. If the home has been remodeled and new smoke detectors were added it is possible that they are not interconnected, although that would be rare and not recommended anyway. Let me know if this helps.