Battery smoke detectors run solely on batteries. Hardwired smoke detectors run on electricity, but they also have a backup battery for power outages. When you hear a hard-wired smoke detector beeping, it means you need to replace its battery.
Hard wired smoke alarms are mains-powered and include a battery as a backup in case of a power failure. As it's unlikely that both the power and battery will fail at the same time, hard wired smoke alarms offer an extremely reliable form of protection.
A hardwired smoke detector that has no backup battery that is chirping means it needs to be replaced immediately and is no longer functioning. It could be past the 10 year rated life. If there is a backup battery inside, it may be exhausted and needs to be replaced.
Will taking the battery out of a smoke alarm make it stop beeping? Taking the battery out of a smoke alarm will not make it stop beeping. Even after the battery has died, the detector maintains a residual charge that will keep the chirp going for at least seven days.
Remove the battery: If your smoke detector has a backup battery, remove it and press the test button for 15 seconds to drain any residual charge. Reinstall the battery: Insert a fresh battery and reconnect the power cable.
A hard-wired smoke alarm consists of a 240-volt smoke alarm connected to a home's electrical system with a battery back-up power supply. Most smoke alarms come with a battery but not all batteries are the same: 10 year lithium batteries: These batteries are recommended and last as long as the smoke alarm.
This chirping happens every 30 to 60 seconds for at least seven days. When you hear this, it means the battery needs replacing.
9V has been the battery of choice for smoke alarms for many years. However, nowadays, a more common smoke detector battery is two or three AA's. AA batteries have about three times as much energy as a 9V.
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.
Testing and Changing Your Smoke Detector Batteries
It is recommended you test your alarms at least once a month to ensure they are working properly, and replace the batteries in your smoke alarm every six months. The detector itself should be replaced at least every ten years.
Can I install a hardwired smoke detector myself? While it is technically possible, it is not recommended. Working with your home's electrical system can be dangerous and complex, best left to a qualified electrician.
Every 10 years
Replace your smoke alarm. Some models last as little as 5 years. This includes battery operated and hard-wired alarms. All smoke alarms have an expiration date.
Also, note that a hardwired smoke detector can beep if its backup battery is low in power.
Hardwired smoke alarms are powered by 240V mains power and also have a backup 9V battery. This offers the added security of having 2 sources of power in the case of power failure, which makes them much more reliable than battery-only smoke alarms. Keep in mind that the 9V battery still has to be replaced every year.
If you replaced the battery and it's still beeping, the smoke detector might have expired like milk. Smoke detectors have an expiration date. The sensitive equipment inside can only work reliably for so long, so if yours is beeping and its expiration date has passed (or will in a year or two), it's time to replace it.
If your smoke alarms have battery backup, go to the faulty smoke alarm, twist off the cover. Once the wires are exposed, carefully disconnect the smoke alarm. Make sure the circuit breaker is off before doing this.
Reasons why a smoke alarm keeps beeping include: The smoke detector's battery has not been installed properly or may be loose. The sensing chamber of the smoke detector may be dirty. Environmental factors like humidity or heat may set off an alarm.
If your smoke alarms are powered by a nine-volt battery, the battery should be replaced every 6 months, while the alarm itself should be replaced once every 10 years. For 10-year lithium-powered fire detectors, you won't need to replace the battery.
Electrical Issues: Faulty wiring or low battery voltage can make your smoke detector act erratically. Ensure you change the batteries as recommended by the manufacturer, typically every six months. If you have hardwired detectors, schedule regular maintenance to check for any electrical issues.
Access the Battery Compartment of the Smoke Detector
If the unit is not budging or coming undone, refrain from using force. Detach and flip the device, then find and undo the battery compartment latch. Brands may place the compartment on the front or side.
In most cases, you can find the 'hush' button on the smoke detector's cover.