[Help] Disconnecting smoke alarm

[BBassic]

Got a hardwired smoke alarm that's decided to beep incessantly, I'm guessing to let us know it's at the end of its life.

Because it's hardwired I think I need to turn off the fuse but I don't think it's on a separate circuit and I don't really want to turn off the power to the entire house.

I reckon it's on the same circuit as the lights but not 100% on that.

It's got a white box connector thingy - am I relatively safe to take that out without switching off all the power? Or is it better to be safe than sorry and just turn off all the fuses?

Cheers!

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

Got a hardwired smoke alarm that's decided to beep incessantly, I'm guessing to let us know it's at the end of its life.

Because it's hardwired I think I need to turn off the fuse but I don't think it's on a separate circuit and I don't really want to turn off the power to the entire house.

I reckon it's on the same circuit as the lights but not 100% on that.

It's got a white box connector thingy - am I relatively safe to take that out without switching off all the power? Or is it better to be safe than sorry and just turn off all the fuses?

Cheers!

 

[schmunk]

Yes, it needs replacing - the writing at the bottom tells you that!

The 'plug' into the detector is actually a socket, so the exposed pins will be on the detector itself - there's very little risk of shock from unplugging.

 

[BBassic]

Yes, it needs replacing - the writing at the bottom tells you that!

The 'plug' into the detector is actually a socket, so the exposed pins will be on the detector itself - there's very little risk of shock from unplugging.

Marvellous, thank you.

We bought this place a couple of years ago and quite a few bits of machinery inherited from the previous owners have started failing on us. It was the fridge just before Christmas.

I predict the washing machine is next.

 

[chickens]

My one caveat to the advice above would be, do check whether you can smell smoke.

 

[Coldeanseagull]

It is out of date, but the ones I've got beep if you don't press the test button every 6 months

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

We have hard-wired smoke detectors, but they also have a PP9 battery as a back-up [in the event of a power cut and a fire at the same time]

Whilst the detector may have gone end-of-life, it could just be the battery as these have a much shorter shelf-life and even when not under load [no mains power cuts], don't last more than about 5 years.

Worth a try?

 

[BBassic]

All done, thanks all.

Pulled out the white pluggy thing, removed the battery and hurled the lot into the abyss. No more beeping and a replacement unit is on the way.

 

[amexer]

Doubt if problem with electrics. Likely to have a back up battery that needs replacing

 

[BigBod]

Doubt if problem with electrics. Likely to have a back up battery that needs replacing

That's what I thought. Change the backup battery and good to go.

 

[Norman Potting]

Surprised that the "....turn it off and turn it back,on again ....." option hasn't been suggested