How to Stop Smoke Detector False Alarms Once and For All
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Azad in Illinois asks: Why Do my The Smoke Detectors Keep Going Off During the Night? How to Stop Smoke Detector False Alarms. © By: Dave Rongey |
Smoke Detector False Alarms
Electrical Question: Why Do my The Smoke Detectors Keep Going Off During the Night?
My house was remodeled 2 years ago, new First Alert smoke & carbon monoxide alarm, model SC9120B – total of 7 installed, 4 ea in ea bedroom (2nd floor), 1 in Hallway (2nd floor), 1 in family room (1st floor), and 1 in basement. All goes off at one time – one big loud sound. On the back there are 3 pins, black wire, orange wire interconnected, and the white neutral wire.
The Smoke Detectors Alarm During the Night
- I cleaned all of them, change new 9v battery and still does the same. Removed 1 from the basement, same thing, removed one from hallway, same thing, removed one from family room same thing.
- I removed all 3 except from the bedrooms and no problem (I am not sure they are working or not as 3 are not connected. Those 3 go-off after about 3 hours even not connected after new battery.
- I am planning to remove each from the bedrooms and install them in hallway, family room, and basement and the problem one (3 ea) in the bedrooms.
- What is a J-box? and how do I locate them? These all must be interconnected as all go-off at the same time.
- I will try to contact First Alert and then may be a licensed electrician to check for the problem. I do not want to live in the house without alarm as it saved our lives 2 years ago.
This Electrical Question came from: Azad, from Lisle, Illinois.
Additional Comments: Very informative and helpful.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your Electrical Question Azad.
Azad, a J-Box is a junction box for electrical wiring and is typically the box that a smoke detector is mounted to. Continue reading for more about electrical wiring for smoke detectors.
How to Stop Smoke Detector False Alarms
- Application: Troubleshooting Smoke Detectors.
- Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
- Tools Required: Basic Hand Tools and Safe Ladder.
- Estimated Time: Depends on personal experience and the number of smoke detectors and access to them.
- Precaution: Smoke Detectors are required by code to be installed in specific areas of the home. Never remove or leave a smoke detector disconnected or never leave the smoke detector circuit power off.
- Notice: Smoke detector type alarms should be tested frequently to make sure they are functioning correctly.
Troubleshooting Smoke Detector Alarm Problems
Smoke detectors are essential to help protection home occupants by providing a warning alarm when fire, smoke, and even carbon monoxide conditions with some of the newer detection devices. These safety devices should never be disconnected or removed. The newer systems are designed so if one goes into alarm they all go into alarm because they are interconnected.
- You can located a malfunctioning smoke detector or carbon monoxide alarm using the process of identifying the devices that do work OK and the one or more that do not.
- One way to determine this is to purchase one or more exact replacement devices and begin removing existing devices in the home with one or more new alarm devices.
- If after replacing the existing alarms the false alarm problem persists then replace the original device and move the new device to the next location of an untested smoke detector alarm device.
- Eventually you will be able to locate the faulty device.
Why Smoke Detectors have False Alarms
- Dirt and Dust.
- Spiders and other bugs.
- Smoke detectors that are 10 or more years old should be replaced.
- Weak 9 volt Batteries will cause smoke detectors to produce a random beep to remind you to replace the battery.
See More about Smoke Detectors
Home Smoke Detectors
Take the mystery out of smoke detector wiring. Smoke alarms provide the earliest warning of both fire and smoke.
Using Testers to Identify Electrical Problems
Electrical Testers to Help Solve Smoke Detector Problems
Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring
- Electrical Codes for Smoke Detectors
- Listing of electrical codes for smoke detector with examples of electrical smoke detector codes for home electrical wiring.
More about Electrical Codes For Smoke Detectors
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