If the keypad for your home alarm system starts beeping, it's a sign that the power supply is low and the battery might need to be replaced. The keypad may beep infrequently at first, but it will beep more consistently as the power supply drains.
If your smoke alarm is emitting a single high-pitched chirp every 30 seconds or so, it's most likely a sign that the battery is running low and needs to be replaced. Stopping the problem is a simple matter of changing it out. There are, of course, other reasons why your alarm might be chirping: Dust.
As mentioned before, an alarm battery usually lasts for three to five years. However, systems with motion sensors tend to be better at conserving energy and therefore, can have longer average battery life than simple alarm systems.
A single beep about every 30 seconds to a minute can mean the battery is low, the sensors are dirty, or the unit needs to be replaced.
Q: What are the signs that my alarm battery is low? Signs include a beeping keypad, an LCD warning code (e.g., BAT, LO BAT), or experiencing false alarms.
Many alarm systems will beep when the battery power is low. You may hear a beep every few hours or once a day when the system runs its automatic battery test.
98% of the time an alarm rings during a power cut is because this battery is dead! Therefore when the mains is removed, the main control panel battery can't keep the system running so the external sounder starts ringing to inform you there's a problem.
Home alarm system battery replacement cost
The typical cost of a replacement burglar alarm battery is between £12 and £30 depending on the type and make of battery.
Even if the battery goes dead, the system should continue to work from the wall power. When the panel battery begins to get weak, your system will alert you to the problem.
The most common meaning of a low battery warning is just that – your security system has been running on battery power for an extended period of time, and the battery is low. Because of this common cause of the warning, it's often recommended to wait up to 24 hours to see if this warning goes away on its own.
Low batteries are the most common cause of random beeping. Open the device and check the battery compartment. Replace the old batteries with fresh ones, ensuring they are installed correctly. After replacing the batteries, allow a few minutes for the detector to reset.
If you have basic DIY skills, changing the battery in your burglar alarm is relatively straightforward. To change your home alarm battery, follow these steps: Open panel: first remove the cover of your main alarm panel by unscrewing the screws holding the front of the panel on. The alarm will then sound.
If your alarms use regular batteries, swap in fresh batteries at least once a year. A “chirping” sound means that it's time to change batteries. Because alarm sensors wear out, replace each alarm at least every 10 years. Also, alarms have labels showing when they were made.
Most home security alarm systems don't just have an alarm - they also have a strobe light located at the front of the property. If an alarm has been triggered, the light will flash until the disarm/rearm code is entered into the keypad, even if the audible alarm has stopped.
If you have a battery-operated smoke detector, your local fire department can change the batteries or help you replace the detector—just make sure you call the non-emergency number. In any case, do not let this project go unresolved, as it could turn into a huge safety issue.
Don your insulated rubber gloves and unscrew the faceplate from the control box. Remove the black and red wires feeding into the backup battery pack. If the alarm was sounding, it should stop once the battery pack is removed.
Testing and Changing Your Fire Alarm Battery
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.
All good alarm systems have back-up battery power. It ensures they remain for at least 12 hours in the event of a power outage (power cut). When power is restored following an outage, the system is designed to start working normally and also recharge the battery. All batteries have limited life.
In most cases the alarm system will activate or at least beep if there is a low battery or if the alarm system battery dies.
If there's a low battery warning, you might need to replace the alarm system's battery. If the alarm persists after replacing the battery, consider power cycling the entire alarm system. Turn off the main power supply to the alarm, wait a few minutes, and then turn it back on.
If the alarm keeps ringing and doesn't reset itself or is ignored by the owner and left running for hours it will eventually drain the battery. The alarms that flash lights in addition to making noise would draw more power and have more of an effect on the battery.