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Posted by on October 4, 2009, 7:38 am
> > Hello,
> > Not to sure how to go about this, and would appreciate any thoughts.
> > Whatever I do, I want to be sure that it is "Code" compliant, fully.
> > Have a quite old smoke detector on ceiling. =A0Doesn't work reliably
> > It's AC house wired presently, but I wish to replace it with a regular
> > battery powered one without any 110 V house wiring going to it.
> > The AC wires going to it just exit the ceiling thru a small hole.
> > No metal wiring box like you always see; just a exit hole for the wires
> > thru the ceiling. =A0Other things on the circuit, so I can't just disab=
le
> > the wiring run at the service box.
> > Any new smoke detector I put up will be flush against the ceiling, and =
I
> > am pretty sure there wouldn't be enough room in it's base for me to
> > terminate the wires in, in place of a metal box.
> > I can of course put a wire-nut on the wire ends, tape it to be even mor=
e
> > sure, and push them back thru the hole.
> > But I imagine that this would not be Code compliant.
> > True ?
> > If I do have to go to a metal box, what kind do I try to find that woul=
d
> > enable me to just cut a somewhat larger hole and install it ?
> > There are no wooden ceiling joists or structure by the hole to fasten t=
he
> > box to. =A0So, the kind of boxes that have that adj. bar that attaches =
to
> > two ceiling joists does not seem appropriate.
> > Any new enlarged hole I cut I would, of course, like it to be minimal.
> > So, how would I anchor the typical metal octagonal wiring box ?
> > Is there perhaps another type that is made for the problem I have tried=
to
> > outline ? Sure would be great if so. =A0If there is, who makes and what=
is
> > it called, please ?
> > Any thoughts on how to go about this would be much appreciated.
> > Thanks,
> > Bob
> Smoke detector rules vary wildly from one location to another, and by wha=
t
> was required when the building was built, so you'll need to check with yo=
ur
> locality to find out what you need for code compliance. Assuming the cabl=
e
> coming out of the ceiling is a proper cable, and not some jury rig piece =
of
> lamp cord, you can easily fasten a surface mounted round wiremold box to =
the
> sheetrock using toggle bolts or sheetrock anchors, and bring the cable
> through a knockout =A0in the back of the box. You can almost as easily in=
stall
> a switchbox supported by Madison bars, plaster tins, switchbox supports, =
or
> whatever else they're called.
> - Hide quoted text -
> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
> - Show quoted text -
In addition to the other advice, many AC powered smoke detectors are
wired together so that if one trips on one floor, they all go off.
So, you should determine if there are any others and if they are wired
that way.
Then as others have said, the solution is to get a replacement that is
compatible and install a simple old work plastic box. All you need
to do is cut out an opening with a key hole saw. The box has ears
that swing out and grab from behind.
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> Not to sure how to go about this, and would appreciate any thoughts.
> Whatever I do, I want to be sure that it is "Code" compliant, fully.
> Have a quite old smoke detector on ceiling. Doesn't work reliably
> It's AC house wired presently, but I wish to replace it with a regular
> battery powered one without any 110 V house wiring going to it.
> The AC wires going to it just exit the ceiling thru a small hole.
> No metal wiring box like you always see; just a exit hole for the wires
> thru the ceiling. Other things on the circuit, so I can't just disable
> the wiring run at the service box.
> Any new smoke detector I put up will be flush against the ceiling, and I
> am pretty sure there wouldn't be enough room in it's base for me to
> terminate the wires in, in place of a metal box.
> I can of course put a wire-nut on the wire ends, tape it to be even more
> sure, and push them back thru the hole.
> But I imagine that this would not be Code compliant.
> True ?
> If I do have to go to a metal box, what kind do I try to find that would
> enable me to just cut a somewhat larger hole and install it ?
> There are no wooden ceiling joists or structure by the hole to fasten the
> box to. So, the kind of boxes that have that adj. bar that attaches to
> two ceiling joists does not seem appropriate.
> Any new enlarged hole I cut I would, of course, like it to be minimal.
> So, how would I anchor the typical metal octagonal wiring box ?
> Is there perhaps another type that is made for the problem I have tried to
> outline ? Sure would be great if so. If there is, who makes and what is
> it called, please ?
> Any thoughts on how to go about this would be much appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Bob