Thanks for your time folks. I have some hard wired smoke detectors in my home, that for various reasons I am in the process of replacing. I have replaced a few with battery powered detectors for a short time. In doing this, I have capped off the hot wires from the original smoke detectors with the plastic wire nuts that you screw onto wire connections. I’m just wondering if this is safe. My family and I appreciate the help.
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Caping them off is about all you can do .. unless they are they have a dedicated circuit (disconect breaker) .. if this is a newer home they may also be interconnected, in which case I wouldn't change to battery powered units, interconnected units are now code in most areas, and make allot of sense ..
Thanks for the response. Much appreciated.
You should be fine as long as none of the bare conductor is exposed below the nut and the nuts are on tight.
For what it's worth, I recently replaced some of my hardwired/battery backup detectors with a carbon monoxide/smoke detector that allows you to hush nuisance alarms easily (and allows you to locate the "trigger alarm" easily by silencing all the others). Not sure what your reasons were for replacing yours, but if you're interested here's a link to the manufacturer's product page:
http://www.icca.invensys.com/firex/12000Features.htm
I'm a volunteer firefighter who's taken on the role of public education in my town, and these detectors probably offer the best possible protection available right now (short of sprinklers).
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Thanks guys for the responses. I really appreciate it. Trying not to expose my family to any hazards based on my own incompetence.