Assuming they were installed correctly, are the 6 identical smoke detectors in my house on the same circuit?

Normally yes, but it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. If they're the newer interconnect then it's easier to simply loop one line throughout the house (people almost always take the easy way out).

If they're the older style which don't interconnect then all bets are off. Usually one will snag the nearest available circuit. Probably running off the outlet nearest to it.

 

They shouldn't be chirping because the power is off unless the batteries are low.

Pull the batteries for now....measure the voltage and replace any that are bad.

 

Battery had an expiration date of 2010. And it is dead?! Oh well, the chirping is gone now. Thanks.

 

Battery had an expiration date of 2010. And it is dead?! Oh well, the chirping is gone now. Thanks.

DANG

You mean I only get 4 years out of that battery ?

And I paid all of 49c for it too !

:jester:

 

Modern smokes will chirp when the power is out to let you know you are on battery power.
Unless all the smokes are interconnected, they may or may not be on the same circuit.

 

JB... Thanks Bubbi..... I have not encountered that.... but I am laughung my but off....

Do I (or anyone) need a smoke alarm to tell us the electric is off.

It must sound like a bird sanctuary when you have a power interruption.

Who the he11.... NEC, or manufactures, or battery makers, bird lovers, or Facinations Adult Novelty, do you think ran that one thru.

Best

Peter

 

My smoke detectors have to be on a dedicated circuit. If that is code in your area I would doubt they would be on two circuits.

 

My smoke detectors have to be on a dedicated circuit. If that is code in your area I would doubt they would be on two circuits.

Are you sure? Usually the only requirement is that you can't switch it off except with the breaker.

On mine, I tied them to a light ckt. That way I'm 'inclined' to keep them energized if I want those lights on.

To the OP....it sounds like your smokes mite be getting to the end of their life. CO detectors have a 7 year life. After that they won't stop beeping. I have Kidd smokes and comb smoke/CO. When the first one starts chirping, I'll just replace all of them at the same time.

 

Are you sure? Usually the only requirement is that you can't switch it off except with the breaker.

On mine, I tied them to a light ckt. That way I'm 'inclined' to keep them energized if I want those lights on.


What my wife said, she wired them

 

We had one right up to last year that was over 20 years old. It was always the first one to go off when something got burned in the kitchen. It was hard to take it down and put it to rest.

 

The lifespan of a smoke alarm is 10 years. They should be replaced after that as they get less reliable with increasing age.