By Dave Rongey Summary:
There is an easy fix for most false alarms from smoke detectors that occur during the night time, and it doesn't take an electrician to do this.
Check Out What Others Are Sharing at Ask the Electrician: This is really cool. A place where I could ask a question and hopefully get an answer to rather than the puzzled look I got at Home Depot. Adam from Sun city center, Florida
I have an electrical smoke alarm and it'll sound off in the wee hours of the a.m.
It doesn't happen every night, but it happened this morning.
What's wrong with it?
Thanks- Lois.
Hi Lois - Great Question!
Oh yes - the mystery of phantom Smoke Alarms in the wee hours of the night! Here is what I have found to be the cause so many times: A smoke detector naturally produces a little heat, and spiders and insects like to gather around this warm area to the point that spiders will build webs which will interfere with the internal smoke detection device. So to eliminate this problem it's a good idea to use an extended feather duster and clean around the smoke detector
This is not the case all the time - and smoke detectors do go bad after a period of time due to dust etc. If this continues I would recommend replacing the unit with a new one.
Follow this link for more information about Wiring Smoke Detectors
Electrical Wiring Video #2
Electrical Wiring Tips for Home Electrical Wiring Projects
Tripping Circuit Breaker, Outlet at a Wall Switch, Light Fixture without a Ground Wire, Help with Home Electrical Wiring Projects.
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Learn more about How to Wire Outlets Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for the Homeowner, Handyman,
Electrician and Building Inspector. Includes: Methods for Home Electrical Wiring Wiring Diagrams for Smoke Detectors Interconnected Smoke Detector Wiring Wiring Methods for AFCI Circuits Electrical Codes for Smoke Detectors ....and much more.
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Electrical Project Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, Non-Metal Step Ladder, and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level of experience, ability to work with tools for install smoke detectors, and the available access to the project area. Electrical Safety:
Identify the electrical circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for smoke detector wiring projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional electrical wiring for smoke detectors should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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