Smoke may kill occupants long before flames are visible.
Consult yourlocal permitting agencyfor codes and regulations regarding hardwired smoke detectors.
In some communities, hardwired smoke detectors are increasingly required in new construction and home remodeling work.
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What Is a Hardwired Smoke Detector?
Should the power fail, an onboard battery takes over and continues to power the smoke detector.
Wiring the smoke detectors is fairly straightforward for an experienced DIYer or a professional electrician.
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First, old-work electrical boxes are installed at appropriate spots where the smoke detectors will be installed.
Then, a 2-wire cable is run from the power source to the first smoke detector.
Next, 3-wire cables are installed to link the smoke detectors in sequence.
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Then, the various wire connections are made and the devices are installed.
All standard precautions should be followed when working with electrical circuits.
Power must be shut off and tested for voltage before making any feed wire connections.
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Need more help?
Ceilings are generally the best place for smoke detectors since smoke rises.
If installing the detector on a wall, install it within 12 inches of the ceiling.
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First, use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists or wall studs.
Withold-work boxes,be sure to locate the boxes between joists or studs, not over them.
You may need to drill a pilot hole to establish a starting point for the saw.
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It can take some ingenuity to figure out the best route for the cables to run.
You will cut it down to the proper length during the installation of the boxes.
Again, leave plenty of excess cable extending through the holes in the drywall.
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In other models, the wire connections are made directly to the smoke detector.
This is where some DIYers may choose to have a professional electrician make the hookup.
It’s important, though, that you splice into circuit wires that arenotcontrolled by a wall switch.
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If they are operating correctly, all alarms should sound when each test button is pressed.
If you feel at all uncomfortable about your ability to install these devices,call a licensed electricianfor assistance.
Both battery-operated and hardwired smoke detectors should be replaced after 10 years after installation.
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Combination smoke and CO (carbon monoxide) detectors should be replaced every seven years.
machine parts tend to wear out and begin to work inefficiently regardless of how they are powered.
Neither throw in is immune to wearing out and misbehaving.
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Both battery and hard-wired smoke detectors may keep randomly going off, for example, if they malfunction.
An electrician will charge their rate per hour, which varies depending on where you live.
Count on spending at least $100 and up per hardwired unit.
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Hardwired smoke detectors can be more reliable thanbattery-operated models.
They are also interconnected throughout the house.
Senthilkumaran M, Nazari G, MacDermid JC, Roche K, Sopko K.Effectiveness of Home Fire Safety Interventions.
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A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.PLoS One.
2019;14(5):e0215724.
Published 2019 May 20. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0215724
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