Wiring Method for Single Family Smoke Detectors

Turn off the power supplied to the wires you will be working with from the main circuit breaker. Test the wires to make sure there is no power by holding a circuit tester up to them.

Remove the insulating cap from both the black wire and the white wire coming from the back of your new smoke detector. Remove the insulating cap on the red wire only if you are wiring two smoke detectors together; otherwise, leave it in place.

Twist the trim ring off the back of your new smoke detector and hold it up to the electrical box in the ceiling. Determine which holes in the trim ring you will be using to mount the detector. Place the tip of a screwdriver onto each hole's punch-out. With a hammer, gently tap the back of the screwdriver to remove the punch-outs.

Remove the wiring from the back of your new smoke detector by pressing the two tabs on either side of the wiring quick connect and pulling it out. Not all smoke detectors will have this feature. On some brands the wires will be attached directly to the back of the detector.

Place the tip of the black wire coming from the ceiling against the tip of the black wire coming from your new smoke detector. Twist a wire nut around the two ends to hold them together. Repeat with the white wires. Connect the two red wires only if you are connecting two smoke alarms together.

Lift the trim ring up to the electrical box. Make sure the wires are hanging through the center of the trim ring. Secure the trim ring to the electrical box with the supplied screws.

Push the quick connect wires back into the hole in the back of the new smoke detector. Place the two small holes on the edge of the smoke detector over the tabs on the edge of the trim ring. Twist the smoke detector to lock it onto the trim ring.

Restore power to your new smoke detector. Push the "Test" button on the front of the smoke detector to make sure it is working.