How To Replace Wired Smoke Detector?

Posted on 08.05.2020 by Maud Meadows

Do you have to replace hard wired smoke detectors?

Pros recommend changing hard-wired smoke alarms after 10 years.

Dear Michael: Your alarms are overdue for replacement, according to the National Fire Protection Association, which recommends that you replace a detector when it’s 10 years old.

How do you replace a hardwired smoke detector?

The steps are pretty simple:

Turn off the power.
Give your smoke alarm a twist to loosen it.
Disconnect your smoke alarm from the wiring harness.
Loosen the screws that hold the mounting bracket in place.
Remove the mounting bracket.
Disconnect the old wiring harness from the existing wires.

Can you replace hardwired smoke detector with battery?

If your home was built after 1986, it will have at least one hard wired smoke alarm connected directly to your electrical panel. It is not acceptable to replace a hard wired alarm with one that is battery operated. A home must maintain at least the same level of protection as originally required. It is the law.

Can I disconnect a hardwired smoke detector?

If there are no wires connecting it to the ceiling or wall, it is a battery-operated unit and there are no wires to be removed. If there are connecting wires, it is a hard-wired unit and the wires can be disconnected. Dismount from the ladder and flip the circuit breaker switch that controls the smoke detector.

Do I need an electrician to replace hardwired smoke detectors?

They are hard-wired into our electrical system, but that doesn’t mean you need an electrician to replace them. Modern hard-wired smoke detectors don’t have wires in the back that need to be connected to loose wires in the ceiling.

We recommend reading: How Much Americium Is In A Smoke Detector?

How much does it cost to replace hard wired smoke detectors?

The cost can vary widely, depending on where you live and on the type and number of units to be replaced, where they’re placed and the condition of the wires. Service providers we contacted charge a wide range of prices, from $35 to $40 per detector, plus a $50 for service charge, to $135 to $155 per detector.