Have you ever had that annoying beep and wonder can you unplug a hardwired smoke detector. We can help answer that question.
Yes you can unplug a hardwired smoke detector however we do not recommend it. There is a clip on the back of the unit which if pinched will come apart.
Can You Unplug A Hardwired Smoke Detector?
On the back of every hardwired smoke detector there is a pin connector.
This is used to plug the smoke detector in for it is mounted on the wall. The pin connecter has two or three wires that connect to the hard wiring in the wall or the wall box.
If you unscrew the smoke detector counterclockwise it will be released from the wall.
This will enable you to get out the pin connector.
The pin connecter should pinch together and snap out of the back of the smoke detector so that you can remove the hardwired smoke detector.
Can You Unplug A Hardwired Smoke Detector With Battery Back Up?
The same principle applies for a hardwired smoke detector with battery back up.
Yes you can unplug a hardwired smoke detector. There should be the same type of pin connecter on the back of the hardwired smoke detector with battery back up.
The process would be the same by simply unplugging it from the wall or the ceiling.
What About The Ones That Are Plugged Into Your Security System?
Smoke detectors or smoke alarms that are part of a security system do not usually unplug.
They are usually hard wired directly into the security system with screw terminals on the back of the smoke detector or smoke alarm in this case.
Your security system smoke alarms work on the principle of the circuit opening and tripping the alarm circuit.
If you remove the screw terminals from the smoke detector it will most likely sound the alarm.
If you were going to do this then you should disable the alarm system first. As an example of removing a security system smoke alarm would be to paint around it if you were changing the color of the room.
Are All Hardwired Smoke Detectors The Same?
All hardwired smoke detectors are not the same. In fact they are very different from one another.
Different brands will not work together. It is very important that you get the same brand smoke detector if you have additional smoke detectors link together with that one in your home.
If you try to mix or match smoke detectors then they will most likely not work correctly or they will sound the alarm and continuously go off.
For a link so I’m more smoke detectors that we recommend you can find that out here.
How Often Do I Need To Change It?
You should be changing the batteries in your smoke detector twice a year. It will be once in the spring and once in the fall.
People usually do this during the regular maintenance of setting the clocks ahead or back.
Do not just change one battery make sure you change them all. Most battery smoke detectors have a 9 volt battery in the back of the casing.
As for the smoke detector itself it usually has a date code for every 10 years for the smoke detector to be completely changed.
The life expectancy of the smoke detector after 10 years depletes.
You can find out more on smoke detectors beeping here.
What If I Pull The Wires Out Of The Wall?
If you pull the wires out of the wall from the pin connecter on the back of the smoke detector then you should call an electrician right away.
This could leave exposed wires inside of the wall box that were meant to be connected to the smoke detector.
In any case the fuse panel or breaker panel to blow the breaker related to that circuit.
It will most likely be hooked to a lighting circuit so you will have to go out without lights.
Will The Fire Department Show Up If I Unplug It?
Most hardwired smoke detectors that are part of your 120 volt electrical system are not hooked to a security service that will call the fire department.
With that being said some security systems are. Most security systems that have fire alarms or smoke detectors up to them are monitored by the security company.
In the event that the alarm goes off the fire department is notified.
Smoke detector that is part of that security system then it will falsely trip the alarm into thinking that it is going off.
In this case you could have the fire department or the police show up at your home. To save the embarrassment make sure you check this first.
Do You Need To Replace hardwired Smoke Detectors?
Yes hardwired smoke detectors have a life expectancy of 10 years they actually have a date code on them from 10 years of the time of install that should be replaced.
There’s no good reason to replace one you might as well replace them all if you have several in your home.
You can consult with your local electrician to have these replaced for you.
Why Are My Hardwired Smoke Detectors Going Off?
Many things will set a smoke alarm or a smoke detector to go off.
A lot of times it is a false alarm but sometimes not. Smoke detectors are made for different purposes from sensing carbon dioxide to straightforward smoke detectors to dual purpose smoke detectors.
Moisture is the number one factor to set off a false alarm in a smoke detector.
If you have several smoke detectors in your home interconnected and the one in the basement sees moisture it may cause a false alarm.
The other big factor in causing a smoke detector to go off would be dust.
Dust set off smoke detectors it’s important to try to install these in an area to minimize dust collection.
It is also a good idea to do regular maintenance when you do your battery changes to vacuum the smoke detector off.
How To Remove A Hardwired Smoke Detector From A High Ceiling ?
Removing a smoke detector or smoke alarm from a high ceiling is a little bit more difficult.
Always exercise safety first and have someone hold the ladder for you while you were trying to remove the smoke detector.
The smoke detectors in high areas tend to get stuck in place overtime.
You may need to use some extra force and turn it counterclockwise to get it to pop out of its position so that you can remove it from the wall and unplug the pin connector.
Don’t neglect or forget this smoke detector in high areas.