Expert: Dave Neuweiler - 11/16/2006

Question
I have a chirp above a smoke detector. The chirp has been present for about one month and occurs every 30 seconds. I've changed all the batteries to all 6 smoke detectors in the house and have turned of the ac power to the smoke detectors at the main power panel to the house. The chirp continued. Is this faulty wiring of the smoke alarm system and if this is a possibility, what manner of professional can I call to fix my problem?  

Answer
Thank you for your question.

An electrician can easily troubleshoot the problem for you.

But before you call one, please try an experiment. Turn off the power to the detectors AND remove all the batteries. This will prove, one way or the other, whether the detectors are the source of the chirping, or something else.

If you still hear chirping, we need to look elsewhere.

If the chirping stops, then please press and hold the test button for 20 seconds on each detector.

When finished, put the batteries back in, and turn the power back on.

Hopefully, all will be quiet. If it's not, then call the electrician.

I hope this helps, and please let me know what you find.

Best Regards,

Dave