How to Install a Wired Smoke Alarm - 120V Wired Smoke Detector

This video shows how to wire a 120 V SMOKE ALARM. This was done on new construction, starting with unused wires in the ceiling electrical boxes. The "wired smoke alarm" in the project is the Kidde Firex Smoke Alarm, Model# i12080A. This is a very easy project if you have the proper tools.

[@bonniebennett2345]

Pretty proud of myself for doing 6 of these after watching your video. My kids were impressed and asked where I learned how to do it. I told them I asked "KZbin Dad." ;) Thank you!!

[@PhilCrockett]

HA! never been called "KZbin Dad".....but what a great channel name that would be.

[@ZephyrHill]

Thanks for this easy to follow video, Phil! My teenage son used it to install 2 in our home today with no issues. Great learning experience!

[@PhilCrockett]

Awesome! I try to keep my videos simple and to-the-point. Glad I can help!

[@scottysimmonsfavorites9563]

Thanks for the tutoring Phil, I am replacjng my first wired Smoke Detector!

[@PhilCrockett]

excellent! Let me know how it went.

[@scottysimmonsfavorites9563]

Thx Phil-will do!

[@scottysimmonsfavorites9563]

@@PhilCrockett Thank you, for helping me be successful on installing wired alarm!

[@PhilCrockett]

You're welcome!!!

[@pdk213]

Thanks bro! Installed 4 in series in 20 minutes.... and this stuff.... aint my thing. THANKS!

[@PhilCrockett]

That makes my day! So good to know my video helped you out! Thank you so much for the positive comment!

[@raedaljowdah9364]

This the best video I watched on this subject. Very clear and to the point. Many thanks.

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks for taking the time to write such a nice comment, Raed! Glad I can help!

[@thomaschristopher8593]

great video. i was able to replace my two smoke detectors. thank you.

[@PhilCrockett]

Excellent!

[@PeggyHornExpertRealtor]

Wonderful, clear explanation!

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks, Peggy!!

[@kspsalina]

Excellent Wiring System.

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks for the positive comment, Kazi!

[@KK7THK]

Thanks for the video! Installed six in under an hour with interruptions from my 2.5yo (who needed to eat everything that has ever been baked, fried, or boiled and then packaged for sale) while I was on the ladder. Now he’s asking if Mommy can do all the other stuff! Sure kid- as soon as he goes down for a nap! 😴

[@PhilCrockett]

HA! yes!

[@calumbrooknicolson]

It's a good looking alarm.

[@PhilCrockett]

Yes, and it also has a digital voice and a light

[@Potentialaj]

Thanks for this. I love the details you gave

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks, Chloe!

[@BernardMalik]

Thanks for easy to follow vid. (late to the party lol) I was wondering if can I use this smoke alarm without plugging it into a ceiling electrical box? I am in an apartment and I am not allowed to do so. Thanks

[@PhilCrockett]

I have never tried that, but the whole purpose of it being dual is that fact that it should work without electricity. So...... I imagine it will. Or.... you can just buy a battery operated one that is cheaper. let me know how it works out. Thanks for watching and commenting, Bernard!

[@timbrackenbury4480]

Great video. The only thing I would do differently is replace the supplied batteries with brand new alkaline batteries.

[@PhilCrockett]

Glad you like my video! Also, thanks for the tip!

[@wb6162]

Thank you!

[@PhilCrockett]

You're welcome! Hope you like my other vids!

[@fionakatiewiddop6068]

Thanks for the video it has helped but i need to ask a question I understand that the alarms are 120volt im used to wiring lightin in 1.5 wire but the electricity is 240volt . My question is this are the alarms 120volt or can i use a lighting circuit . I dont understand how to wire the alarms 120volt when my electricity is 240 volt or am i missing something . I feel confused

[@PhilCrockett]

Yeah, not sure about your 240 V system. That seems a bit high on voltage.

[@caroltripp5223]

Thank you!!!

[@PhilCrockett]

You're welcome!

[@SuperCarolyn02]

hi Im replacing my old hardwired smoke alarm. It only has two wires ...not 3. It will be the only hardwire alarm. Do I just cover the red wire with a nut and tape?

[@PhilCrockett]

I don't like giving advice on electrical matters without being present. .........because I care about your safety, Carolyn. However, you could go to an electrical store and show them pictures of your situation and discuss it. This will probably be the best method without hiring an electrician.

[@neilbrookins8428]

I see the back of the alarm said it was an ionization type alarm. In the owners’ manual, is there a statement saying, “For best protection, use both ionization and photoelectric type alarms”. If so, how would you suggest this is accomplished? It looks to me that what you have installed is not the best protection according to the manufacturer. I have investigated this topic extensively and come to the conclusion that you need to have a photoelectric detector to be fully protected. I’m very interested in your opinion on this subject.

[@PhilCrockett]

I simply installed what my electrician recommended. I matched what he installed a few years ago upstairs. The ones in this video I installed in my basement. They work well when I had smoke come out of the wood stove recently. Apparently they work very well, and my electrician was right. Thanks for the question.

[@robinspina9968]

Just came across your video. Thanks for doing. Quick question: I have to replace a smoke alarm in my mother-in-laws house, and also add a carbon monoxide detector. There are six other FireX smoke detectors throughout the house and basement. They all "talk" to each other when the test button is pressed on just one of them. When I put in the new detector ... and also add the carbon monoxide detector, is there anything additional I need to do in order to make these two new units communicate with all the rest??

[@PhilCrockett]

You would have to have these all on the same circuit, which probably is impossible unless you have an unfinished area to tie them in to the others. I wouldn't worry about them communicating. unless you live in a 20,000 square foot mansion, you should be able to hear them go off at a short distance.

[@ServantofJesus247]

So I can't find which knob in the breaker circuit is for the fire alarm and the wired alarm I want to replace has cut wires. Is it possible to cover the wires up or put a battery alarm over the hard wired one?

[@PhilCrockett]

use a wire tester to find the circuit. Then.... turn it off if you aren't using it. You can always purchase and use battery operated smoke alarms.

[@blizzardbaby]

I am replacing my smoke detector unit and the new one I bought comes with new wires in its package - do I have to use these or can I use the old wires/harness from before and plug that in to the new unit? Thank you!

[@PhilCrockett]

If the wire harness looks the same, then you can just plug it in. Current is color-blind........ it only reads copper. Hope this helps you out, my friend!

[@blizzardbaby]

Phil Crockett thanks! I ended up plugging in the old harness and had a tiny bit of trouble because it was a tight fit but it worked out in the end. Looked exactly the same...

[@PhilCrockett]

As long as it worked! Glad to hear it!

[@janetcartwright8262]

@@blizzardbaby You just answered my question too.

[@eco_guardian]

You never talked about the 2 line power supply. how is that integrated?

[@PhilCrockett]

These were additions to an already-built circuit.

[@myrnawalter5803]

Nice

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks, Josh

[@myrnawalter5803]

What store you got the smoke alarm

[@PhilCrockett]

Menards

[@myrnawalter5803]

I got the same smoke alarm I buyed it today

[@40knightss]

Is there a camera in those? I wonder

[@PhilCrockett]

no. just a light.

[@aaronmarquardt3724]

My box does not have the red wire. What do I do with the red wire on the unit?

[@PhilCrockett]

i don't know without looking at it. Maybe someone else here can chime in.....

[@toryrahm2238]

The red wire is used to connect multiple units, so when one alarms, the others will get triggered also. If you don't have multiple units that need to be interconnected, the red wire on the smoke alarm can be nutted and remain unused. If you do have multiple units and you have access to the wiring for the multiple junction boxes, you should run new 3 wire.

[@okonkwochukwujekwu8825]

I'm still confused about the three wires in the box because you already have the ground wire which was not in use. The black should be the neutral, then please further explanation on the red and black wire

[@PhilCrockett]

not sure what you mean...

[@WYO_Dirtbag]

White is neutral, black is power (to power the devices), and red is used to send signal from one to the others in the circuit. So if one goes off, they all go off.

[@oscarochoa5446]

So can I use 12-2 or does it need to be 12-3 on a 15 amp breaker? Or 20 amp

[@neilbrookins8428]

Oscar Ochoa my own house has 14/3 between all detectors. Except the first wire between the electric panel and the First detector is 14/2. And it’s a 15 amp breaker.

[@achalabian87]

If you have multiple alarms, you would need a 3 wire, but the homerun would be a 2 wire. Also you can use either 14 or 12 gauge wire, makes no difference. Just put in proper ampage breaker depending on wire gauge.

[@PhilCrockett]

I like what my friends here say

[@mariazonno4738]

Wat if I have a yellow do I connect the yellow with the red

[@PhilCrockett]

sorry... I can't give safe advice without seeing it. Here's what I'd do..... go to the nearest big box hardware store, and see if they have an electrical book that has your issue in it.

[@user-rh3vl5bx1j]

Work it

[@PhilCrockett]

ok

[@leonardmorales746]

I bought a replacement detector.. and the wires coming from the ceiling already has the connecter where I can just connect the new detector but.. the wires are not in the same order as the new box.. meaning if I connext the new one.. the red is connecting to the white and vice versa.. in wich sets off all alarms immediately.. how do I fix it? Do i have to cut out the old connecter?

[@PhilCrockett]

If that were my project, I would take that plug out and wire the new one in.

[@skharding4848]

I guess I need an electrician..I want to add one to my basement. I know how to do this…just don’t know how to tie in to “what” in my basement. Oh well. I need to tie into something or get a new circuit breaker and bring new wire??

[@PhilCrockett]

probably should get an electrician to rough-in the lines first if you have never done that.

[@slimeteamn4326]

Cool installed 8 in 25m

[@PhilCrockett]

NICE! That's really fast! 8 is a lot...... is this for a whole house?