Ever thought that wiring a smoke detector is quite complicated and can only be done by an electrician? Well, at HWUK Services, we have outlined a step-by-step guide of how to successfully wire a smoke alarm.
Step 1: Ensure that the power is turned off
Firstly, it's always advised that you hire a qualified electrician to fix your smoke alarm if it stops working so as to limit the risk of injury. When arriving at your property, our electricians will determine which existing circuit the smoke detectors will be wired into and turn off the power supply to that circuit.
Step 2: Cut the Holes
Our electrician will use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joist or wall stud as the location for the smoke detector. The electrical box makes a great template to trace around, so the hole is cut precisely in-between the wall studs. Using a level ensures that the outline of the box is level.
The electrician will then drill a pilot hole in the middle of the outline for the electrical box and then cut around the template outline. The electrical box should be a snug fit, but not too tight. If more than one smoke detector is being wired, your electrician will repeat this process for each unit.
Step 3: Run the Wire
From the power source, our electrician will run wire (with ground) to the location of the smoke detector. The power source can include an existing wall outlet, wall switch, or circuit breaker panel. A good amount of excess cable will be left extending through the hole in the drywall. This ultimately makes installation easier, and your electrician will trim the wire to the proper length when installing a hardwired smoke detector.
Step 4: Attach the Wires to the Electrical Boxes
At each box location, about 8 inches of wire will extend from the hole. Then, the electrician will remove the insulating wrap from the wire using a cable stripper. The wires will then be run and clamped to the electrical boxes.
Step 5: Secure the Electrical Boxes
At each smoke detector location, the electrician will feed the circuit wires through the detector’s mounting plate and align the screw holes on the mounting plate to the hole in the electrical box. Using the screws that came with the smoke detector, the electrician will secure the smoke detector in place.
Step 6: Wire the Smoke Detector and Assemble
Your electrician will connect the wiring harness with the black, white, and red wires coming through the nearest electrical box. Once the smoke detectors have been wired, the electrician will attach the mounting plate to the electrical box with screws. Then, the wire harness is attached to the back of the smoke alarm. The notches on the back of the alarm align with those on the base, and with a quick twist, the unit is ready to go.
Step 7: Connect to the Circuit
Finally, the electrician will connect the wires into the circuit and join the smoke detector cable to the circuit. With the wires joined, it’s time to restore power to the circuit and go through the set-up steps for your new hardwired smoke alarms.
Contact us for a smoke alarm installation in Glasgow today
If you want to hire a qualified electrician that knows exactly how to install a smoke alarm, then get in touch with our electricians in Glasgow today. Please give our electrical installers a call on 07518 884171 and we will organise a time to visit your property and complete any installations in a safe, COVID-19 friendly manner, abiding by all social distancing and sanitary recommendations and guidance. If you are based in Glasgow, or near any of the surrounding areas including Bothwell, Newton Mearns, or Hamilton, then HWUK Services would be more than happy to help you.
