Smoke detector on light circuit...???

blynn16

We're re-doing our basement and don't know much about electrical at all.... we ran a string of pot-lights, and have a hardwired smoke detector in the circuit as well. We were thrilled when we got them all installed, flipped the switch, and everything turned on..... until we realized that our smoke detector is only on when the light switch is on.

What have we done wrong? How do we fix it? (Unfortunately, drywall is done as well, and re-wiring the whole thing is going to be a pain... is there an easy fix?).... the smoke detector is in the middle of the circuit, is this the problem??

Thanks for any help.
Amy

Jim Port

You are going to need to find a circuit that is hot all the time. This sounds like it is going to require some rewiring.

If you have other smokes in the house the new ones should be on the same circuit as the others.

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Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

Speedy Petey

Having a clue BEFORE you started, and especially before sheetrock went up, would have been a great place to start.

My opinion? Call in a professional before you burn your house down. I can just imagine what the splice boxes look like.

DangerMouse

It sounds to me like you simply put the hot for the smokers on the wrong wire in the JB.
It needs to go to the incoming hot before the switch, not after.
This SHOULD be an easy fix.... if easy access is provided to the box.

DM

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RST

Sorry, no good news from me either. You may need to retroactively pull some permits too. Otherwise could have problems when you go to sell your house.

DangerMouse

Well, of COURSE they pulled permits!
They just want it wired correctly for the rough-in.... right? RIGHT???

DM

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