Deciding Whether to Use 2-Wire or 4-Wire Smoke Detectors

[@AlarmGrid]

In this video Joe uses the word DATA to indicate the zone input from the smoke to the alarm panel. Conventional 2-wire and 4-wire smokes are normally open, and short when an alarm occurs. This short is what Joe is referring to as data. Basically, the smoke detector's way of signaling the panel that something is going on.

[@firealarmtechguy4444]

Also to mention the 2 wire smoke detectors are designed and REQUIRED to be used on a CURRENT LIMITED CIRCUIT which means only a certain amount of milliamps are allowed to get into the circuit. The 2 wire system sensor i3 Is only compatible with certain Notifier, Silent Knight ,Fire Lite, FCI and Simplex panels. If you put any 2 wire detector on a high current card or no limit at all, Especially the I3, You'll probably fry it.

[@alexandersalarms5380]

Now how do you wire 4 wire smoke detectors?

[@tanello2]

1 main difference u forgot to mention about 2 vs 4 wire set up is that when using 2 wire set up, ALL THE detectors in the building have to be placed on the same line and will not be "adressed" since allmost no security system manufacturer has more then 1 connection input für 2 wire smoke detectors. (by "adressed" i mean if 1 of the detectors go off, u will not know where it is unless u walk through the whole building, the security panel will just sound der alarm unz tell u "fire alarm !". BUT with 4 wire set up u can run wires für individual rooms and thus make it "addressed" smoke detectors, yes the detector it self has a unit is not addressed, but security panel inputs where the 4 wire detectors can be connected to are (regular zone inputs), thus it will give u feed back if like room 7 detector is out of order because it has been removed or the line in room 7 is damaged. this way the rest of the building detectors will stay online because they are all on a different lines and inputs on the security panel. It will allso pay off when real fire starts, rather then to walk through the whole house to find it, the panel will tell u "fire alarm in room 7" Only an total idiot would run the 4 wire detectors all on the same input on the security panel has it will lose the whole point of reliability. Allso some manufacturers like Apollo Orbis makes "2 wire detectors" but sells detector bases that make it compatible with 4 wire connections has it has built in microswitches ment für universal connetion to any securty panel on the planet has it is set up just like regular motion detector.

[@ggsnow2k712]

Hi Alarm Grid, I bought a Vista 21ip panel and installed it as a DIY project. However, I don't have any prewired smoke detectors. So I left Zone 1 unconnected to anything. However, I am getting a Fire error code. When I connect a door sensor to Zone 1, my alarm is triggered as soon as the system is booted up (showing Fire 01). Any help in how to properly install it is much appreciated!

[@dylanalarm_grid1038]

Zone 1 is preset as a fire zone, I would recommend closing this zone if you're not planning on using it. You can do so by placing a 2K resistor across terminals 8 & 9.

[@pearinnovation1419]

What communication is used in this system

[@joshuagriffin2807]

Those smokes are Hard wired they would be used with either a DSC Neo or the Honeywell Vista systems. it can be used on other hardwired systems. Depending on what security system you by depends on what communicator they can do either phone line cell or internet communication depending on the communicator you can use all 3 paths.

[@cherbrown8187]

What if the4 wire is beeping ?

[@traviscox7336]

What error code do you get? This could be caused by different things.

[@kb_100]

I just bought an old house and am ready to replace the smoke detector. The installed one is an ESL 528BXT manufactured in 2004. There are 4 wires connected to it although it is a 2 wire unit. I have no idea why this type of wiring is used in a house with one smoke detector and one heat detector. Should I just replace with a standard smoke detector with a 10 yr battery?

[@joshuagriffin2807]

You see 4 wires. @ wires going in is from the security panel the other 2 is going to the next device in line

[@kb_100]

@@joshuagriffin2807 thanks. But is this setup even necessary in a standalone house? I don't even think I have an alarm panel. I think I'll get an electrician in to check out all the wiring. It seems the old owner was a bit of an odd ball.

[@joshuagriffin2807]

@@kb_100 A security system is not needed but in stand-alone but my be providing power to the devices and being used to reset them

[@zahirkhan778]

I am not able to find any cheap 2 wire smoke detector. Plenty of battery operated ones for $20

[@jeffreylysiak9619]

Where to start, first of all there is NO DATA in a 2 or 4 wire detector, second 2 wire detectors MUST be listed as COMPATIBLE with the control panel they are being utilized on, which also means that you are NOT TO MIX different manufacturers detectors on the same zone. Ideally ? not ideally , All smoke detectors on the loop 4 or 2 wire MUST be daisy chained, yes in parallel, with NO T-TAPS with the resistor at the last one. Also ALL CONVENTIONAL system detectors listed to UL268 MUST be open circuit not most .When talking about Life Safety devices you should really know what you're talking about especially when educating a consumer that has no clue.

[@AlarmGrid]

Hi Jeffrey, this video is meant to discuss the differences between two and 4-wire smoke detectors for someone who is trying to decide which to use in a system. It's meant as a pre-sales tool. Presumably, this would be a pre-wired system, and you wouldn't have to worry about the user buying multiple different smoke detectors from different manufacturers. This is also not meant as a detailed installation video, which is why it's been published as it is. Thank you for your comments, I'm sure some users may find them helpful.

[@aikidolala]

also, you don't install smokes in parallel..you daisy chain them. There IS a big difference. Otherwise its a great video

[@AlarmGrid]

Smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide detectors, as life safety devices, should always be wired Normally Open, which means you wire them in parallel, with the resistor across the last sensor on the circuit. Normally Closed devices, such as door/window sensors, motions, etc. are usually wired normally closed with the resistor in series at the end of the circuit. Technically, the series loop is a daisy chain.