I've got a hardwired smoke detector in one part of the house that's been chirping incessantly. I've replaced the batteries, and even swapped out the entire detector for a new one, but the chirping just won't stop. We did switch it out for a non-hardwired detector, but since we're planning to sell our house, the city inspector insists on having a hardwired smoke detector installed to give us the necessary inspection certificate for the title transfer. Any suggestions on how to resolve this issue?
3 Answers
Smoke detectors usually have a lifespan of about 10 years. If you're dealing with an old unit, it might just be time for a replacement. When they reach the end of their life, they tend to chirp until they're taken down. If you're replacing it, stick with a hardwired model like you had before and that should solve your issue.
You could have a fault in the wiring itself. I’ve had similar issues where a new battery doesn’t stop the chirping. If you have a voltage tester, check if there’s power getting to the connector. If that's all good, then it might be something deeper.
First off, make sure your wiring is correct. You should have Hot, Neutral, Signal, and Ground wires connected properly. Check if you're getting 120 volts between the Hot and Neutral. If not, then that's probably your issue!