Stupid smoke detector question.

[fjman]

I’m trying to replace the smoke alarm that our painter claims they didn’t throw away…. Anyway. It’s pretty old and doesn’t have an adapter. Any idea how to wire this up with the new one?

First pic is the currently installed base.

 

[bkfj40]

Can you take the plate off the ceiling?

Red would usually be used as the signal wire to activate all alarms, but older ones didn’t have that.

I would’ve expected three wires. I don’t see the white.

 

[BMValentine]

What in particular is the question? That mounting plate that is currently on your wall will have to come off, and the new one (currently attached to the new smoke detector) will go on. It should just twist off.

 

[76FJ40]

Should be red to red, white to white, and black to black. The red is the connection to the other alarms, white is neutral, and black is hot.

 

[Jakes40]

That’s actually a simplex smoke detector my company makes them. I’ll get you a new one and just snap it in. Do you have any other smokes in your apartment if that’s a hardwired smoke detector it is wired wrong and not in compliance anyway it looks to be an addressable smoke. Therefore no other smoke detector will fix it.

Tried to call you but you didn’t answer.

 

[fjman]

Glad I called you!