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Can I use 14-2 wire on a smoke alarm?

26K views 28 replies 13 participants last post by  FrodoOne 
#1 ·
We accidentally ran a 14-2 wire instead of 14-3 for our smoke alarms. There is no ground on the alarm anyways. Is this okay?
 
#6 ·
The third wire is for the interconnect, not a ground.

If you're in the middle of a rennovation and haven't closed walls or ceilings yet, run 14/3.

If everything else is done, you can get hardwired alarms that communicate wirelessly.

they may or may not comply with code if u are required to use hard wired interconnected alarms.

I also recommend using photo-electric alarm on the same floor as kitchen and the area with bedrooms. They're less sensitive to cooking smoke and much more sensitive to smoldering fires. You're much more likely to have a smoldering fire than a flaming fire at night, and it's the smoke that kills.
 
#10 ·
And,
I believe code calls for smoke alarms to be with a room with switched lights or similar. Why? Because people get tempted to throw the circuit breaker when they have an alarm condition. They can't 'forget' to turn circuit back on if they need lighting to see at night.
So no alarms on a dedicated circuit.
 
#12 ·
Rejoice!

Please see the current regulations in the Australian State of Queensland, possibly soon to come to a State near you.

https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/community-safety/smokealarms/Documents/New-Smoke-Alarm-Legislation.pdf

In this
From 1 January 2017 all smoke alarms in new dwellings (or where a dwelling is substantially renovated) must be photoelectric, not also contain an ionisation sensor, be hardwired to the mains power supply with a secondary power source (i.e. battery) and be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so all activate together. From that date, all replacement smoke alarms must be photoelectric.

From 1 January 2022, all dwellings sold, leased or where a lease is renewed must comply as for new dwellings.

From 1 January 2027, all dwellings must comply as for new dwellings

To be fair, this legislation is largely as a result from the following Coroners Report concerning the deaths of seven persons.
http://www.courts.qld.gov.au/__data...2248/cif-slacks-creek-house-fire-20141128.pdf
 
#17 ·
Tell me about it. I had one (1 of 13!) that would alarm for about 15 seconds in the middle of the night. By the time I would look at some of them for the flashing red LED, the alarm would stop. I finally found it a few nights later when it did it again (and this time, I kept some hearing protectors on my night stand)

I've since removed that detector and will replace all 13 when I get a chance this Spring.
 
#25 ·
The ground is not used. Why not assign that as the comms wire. Insulated and sheathed to a plastic box that is not grounded…. Should work
Instead of a non compliant response it would be better to suggest a wireless interconnect system.
 
#28 ·
Well......the NEC says NO. The bare ground is used as a ground only. It cannot be used as a current carrying or signal carrying wire. Not sure what you want other than "NO". It's not stimulating conversation. It is taking up valuable time we could be advising someone about pertinent situations.

And, as I stated earlier, it is a 6 year old thread and the OP ain't here to hear your stimulations.
 
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