Hardwired smoke detectors with battery do offer double insurance to prevent fire accidents. How to change battery in smoke detector hardwired is also a hot issue nowadays.
What Is Hardwired Smoke Detector with Battery Backup?
Hardwired smoke detectors with battery backup can not only accept power from hard-wires in the building but also accept power from dry batteries. In case of a power cut or wire failure, the backup battery will act as a power source to ensure that the smoke detector can normally work. People often use them in places that require constant smoke monitoring, including schools, hospitals, offices and apartments.
Do Hardwired Smoke Detectors Need Battery Changes?
Although the battery power supply plays a backup role, regular inspection and replacement toward it cannot be ignored. We recommend to check the battery every 6 months or 12 months. In this way, the power supply of the entire device can be guaranteed. In addition, regular inspection can also avoid the shorten of device’s lifespan due to battery leakage.
How to Change Battery in Smoke Detector Hardwired
Where Is the Battery in A Hardwired Smoke Detector?
Some hardwired smoke detector comes with rear-loading battery holder, while some battery bin is in front. Anyway, before opening the battery compartment, you need to know some about common lid type for easy open. There are slide type, knob type, button type and screw type. In particular, the AC quick connector of some hardwired smoke detectors come with a bar that protect the battery cover from opening. It is usually close to the surface of the battery cover. This aims that we have to remove the AC quick connector before opening the battery cover.
Identify the Battery Type
If its manual or packaging is still there, we can find the battery model guide directly on it. If not, we can directly observe the size or logo of its battery holder. Generally speaking, the battery holder will be marked with the word AA or AAA.
Safety Precautions Before Changing the Battery
Please make sure to turn off the power to the smoke detector before starting the operation. If the smoke detector is connected directly to the home circuit, we can unplug the AC quick connector to disconnect the power supply. Or, we can also directly turn off the main switch of the home circuit. More and more, when dealing with anything about electricity, it is recommendable to use insulated tools in order to reduce the risk of electric shock.
Also, we may need a ladder to reach the device on the ceiling. When using a ladder, we recommend to ask for someone to help hold the ladder.
To Replace Batteries in Device With Front-loading Batteries Holder
After opening the battery compartment, we first carefully remove the old battery from the battery compartment. Special care should be taken not to use conductive metal tools to avoid short-circuit of the battery. Sometimes, there is AC quick connector with a barrier bar which hinders the accidentally opening of the batter holder cover. Then, we have to, first, disconnect the AC quick connector from the device. One of the reason is to disconnect the AC power supply for safety, which must be the special consideration of the designer. The other reason is that we can smoothly open the battery cover and go to the next step.
Next, we add the new battery in a right direction according to the positive and negative signs on the battery holder. Until the battery is adjusted to the contact point, we can not put the battery cover on. Finally, we put the other accessories and connections back.
To Replace Batteries in Device With Rear-loading Batteries Holder
If the detector is mounted on the ceiling, we need to remove its base by rotating or loosening the screws. In the next step, we find the barrier bar for the AC quick connector, which is a device for quickly connecting and disconnecting the power cord. We just gently remove it to disconnect the power cord from the detector.
Similarly, the following steps are almost the same as the device with front-loading batteries holder.
Finally, don’t forget to test if the equipment is working properly.
- Test the backup battery function (If coming with backup battery indicator lights)
Before connecting the home AC power supply, we observed whether the device lights the battery indicator. Usually, if this indicator lights up, then it means that the backup battery is properly powering the detector.
- Tests the smoke alarm function
After connecting the home AC, we burn a small piece of paper to produce smoke in a safe status.
Then, we place the smoke near the sensor part of the smoke detector. And, we observe whether the detector makes an alarm sound and lights indicator.
- Test the backup battery function (If there is no backup battery indicator)
After pressing the reset button to stop the above alert response, we can turn off the home main switch. Similarly, use the above method of simulating smoke to test whether the detector is working properly. Since the shutdown of the home main switch is equivalent to AC power supply cutting in daily life, this method can test whether the backup battery support device operation in the case of a home power outage.
Can I Change the Backup Battery Safely In A Smoke Alarm Without Turning The Main Power Off?
Yes, you can. But for safety reasons, we usually recommend turning off the main power supply.
FAQ
Will Taking the Battery Out Of A Hard Wired Smoke Detector Stop the Beeping?
Removing the battery from a hard-wired smoke alarm may temporarily stop its beep. However, consider about or dust interference, this is not a recommended way to solve the problem. In addition, if there is excessive smoke concentration, the hard-wired smoke detector will still keep beeping though you take the battery out. Because the device now are powered by household electricity rather than backup battery.
We recommend troubleshooting the indicator lights, device cleanliness, and surrounding smoke sources. If necessary, please contact us or maintenance personnel.
How Often Should You Change The Batteries In A Hardwired Smoke Detector?
We fully advise to replacing or checking the battery every 1-2 years, even if the backup battery is not frequently-used. Because the its general shelf life is about 1-2 years. In addition, batteries inevitably discharge in nature, so the power will be consumed even if it is not commonly used.
What Is the Average Lifespan of A Hardwired Smoke Detector With Battery Backup?
The average lifespan of hardwired smoke detectors with battery backup is typically between 5 and 10 years.
