Electrical question on smoke detectors
I was thumbing through the May 2002 issue about smoke detectors. My house is a quad level and I have installed detectors on three levels so far. The ones I have are hard wired to house power and can be interconnected. So far, I have not connected them as it is difficult to run the wires through the different levels (but not impossible). I am wondering if they can be connected to the bare copper ground wire that goes to each detector? Any ideas if this is electrically feasible and if it is a good idea or a bad one?
Thanks:
Mike
Replies
Bad idea...you are talking about using a bare grounding wire to carry 110v. Not good
I look down my nose at people who dare to look down their nose at people.
Thanks,
That is what I wanted to know. I was not sure how this was wired internally but suspected that the detercor going off would be the same as a dead short across the line and you confirmed it. Now, up to the attic to fish wires...
Mike
Does the yellow wire really carries 110 or does it just activate a relay? Either way, I agree the ground shouldn't be used for that purpose.
Tom
Edited 12/17/2002 6:02:32 PM ET by TOMCHARK
The red wire ain't 120V. It's a lower voltage signaling wire.
Ed
Ed:
What's the voltage on the signalling wire? Just curious.
Tom
Hi Tom -
Gotta say I don't know.
Ed
I'm with Pete, I like to sleep at night!