How to Wire Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for over 250 deaths each year, but it can be prevented. All you need is a carbon monoxide detector in your home. This device is so important, that in many states, a carbon monoxide detector is required to be installed before a home can be bought or sold.

Carbon monoxide can build up in a home through a number of ways. Clogged chimneys, portable gas or kerosene heaters, poorly ventilated wood-burning stoves and even gas-burning appliances like dryers or hot water heaters can be at fault. Of course, exhaust from a running car is another huge culprit.

To help protect your family from this odorless, invisible killer, here is how wire carbon monoxide detectors.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector
14/3 or 12/3 NM cable
Wire strippers
Screwdrivers
Old-work wall box
Wire connectors
Electrical wire stripper
Drywall saw
Non-metallic fish tape

Instructions

- 1
  Carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased in battery-powered form, but for nonstop protection, purchase one that is powered by electricity with the battery as a backup. Your carbon monoxide detector should be fed directly from the panel, meaning you should not pick up a feed from another source, but run the wire direct from the panel to the detector. For details on how to do that, check out the link in Resources below.
- 2
  Decide where to install your carbon monoxide detector. In most states it is required to have it installed directly outside the bedrooms. If you have a multi-room house, you may be required to install one on each floor. Check with your local municipal building regarding safety codes in your area.
- 3
  With your location chosen, outline the wall box with a pencil on the wall or ceiling. Next, use the drywall saw to cut out the outline. Use the non-metallic fish tape to help run the new circuit from the electrical panel. If you need guidance on running wire across the ceiling or between floors, links are provided below in the Resources section.
  
  Do not make your wire connections at the panel yet, that is the last part of the job. For now, leave the wire out of the electrical panel. Install the old-work box with about 6 inches of NM cable coming out of it.
- 4
  At this point, we are going to advance to the wiring of the detector. Use the electrical wire strippers to remove the outer sheath of insulation. This will reveal the three individual wires. Use the wire strippers to remove about 3/4 inches of insulation from each wire.
- 5
  The carbon monoxide detector usually comes with a wiring harness. Take the green wire on the wiring harness and connect it to the green or bare wire in the wall box.
  
  Next, take the white wire on the wiring harness and connect it to the white wire in the wall box.
  
  Lastly, take the black wire on the wiring harness and connect it to the black wire in the wall box.
- 6
  Make sure all of the wire connectors are tight and wrap a strip of electrical tape around each one. Next, feed the wiring harness through the access hole on the carbon monoxide's backplate. Secure the backplate to the wall box using the screws that came with it.
- 7
  Connect the male and female wiring harness connectors and snap the carbon monoxide detector onto its backplate. Insert the backup battery.
- 8
  Back at the electrical panel, make your connections (again, the link is below if you need help). Turn the breaker on and check the detector to make sure the Power light is lit. Press the "test" button to test the carbon monoxide detector. If you hear the alarm, you're all set.

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