It is recommended that you replace the battery in your ADT smoke alarm since this will ensure that the alarm is properly maintained to serve its intended purpose of protecting your home and loved ones. Most homeowners will only change the battery after it begins to chirp, meaning the battery is low. On the other hand, the batteries should be changed annually or as per the instructions provided by the manufacturer. It also avoids failure by a dead battery, which would mean that the headphones cannot be used until they are charged again. Changing the smoke alarm batteries is something quite simple that can be done in a couple of minutes. To replace a battery in one of the ADT alarm system, you don’t need to be a mechanic or an electrician, but with some effort, you can easily change the battery and have the alarm back in action again.
The first thing you should do is acquire your replacement battery or batteries if you have a smoke alarm that uses more than one battery. In the case of many models, you will require having a 9-volt battery. It is advisable to consult the user manual for your existing battery or the stamps at the back of it to know the type of battery to purchase. The three basic types of batteries that are in use include 9 volts, AA, and lithium batteries of specialized nature. Purchase the right battery at your favorite hardware store, pharmacy store, big supermarket shopping mall, or through the internet.
Second, find your smoke alarm on the wall or ceiling and use the flashlight to check if there are any signs of tampering. Some of the smoke alarms have anti-tamper locking pins or brackets, which make it hard for the alarms to be removed. In some models, there is a locking mechanism that can require you to unscrew it with a screwdriver to enable you to open the smoke alarm. Suppose your model has no single tamper-resistant fitting; then you can proceed to the unlocking of the alarm.
When you are prepared to activate your ADT alarm, you will need to find a button, latch or screw at the perimeter. A soft force or turning the screw counterclockwise will open the front covering to reveal the inside of the device. Make sure you do not pull any wires away from their connections while the alarm is still on. After opening the cover, you should always take out the previous battery or batteries. If the batteries are soldered into place it would be a sealed alarm that may need a total replacement in this case. If they are not locked, the batteries should come off the holder without much force and should come out of their connectors.
When the old batteries have been taken out, you should collect your new 9-volt or the other preferred batteries for replacement. First, refer to the positive and negative polarities indicated near the battery terminals in the interior part of the alarm. On the new batteries, ensure that you connect the positive ends to the plus signs and the negative ends to the minus signs. When matched, use moderate force to place the batteries into the connectors until you hear a click or hear a snapping sound.
In case one is replacing single-use lithium batteries, a pull tab is used to trigger the new battery. This could be a small spark as soon as the tab is removed on lithium batteries as they are activated. This is normal behavior. It is recommended to refrain from making contact with metal parts once the tab is pulled off for the risk of getting shocked or burnt.
Make sure that your new batteries are well connected and placed inside the alarm housing before you seal the deal. If you tug on them with moderate force, they should not stretch at all. These need to be connected properly or else should be disconnected and reconnected properly to make a good connection with the terminals. In the securely attached condition, you can replace the cover of the smoke alarm shown in the figure. Align the screw holes or latching points and then lock the cover back onto the unit or finish screwing the perimeter screw. It is also important not to force the cover if there is any kind of resistance and to check and ensure that no wires have been trapped. It may also be necessary to force things such as tabs or connectors which could end up being broken.
Once you have gotten your cover back to the right orientation you can test your battery replacement by pressing the Test button on the alarm for a couple of seconds until you hear the audible alarm. This will guarantee that your batteries are properly mounted, and there are no issues with their overall functioning. Most smoke alarms will also provide a low-battery audible alarm in case of failure of the replacement batteries to function, thereby providing a chance to check for several possible connection issues.
After the annual replacement of the battery of your ADT smoke alarm, you are confident that your home is still protected by this device as per the manufacturer’s recommendations, code requirements, and insurance. However, what may be necessary is to devote some time every year to ensuring that your alarms are within service life standards, free from dust or any other debris, producing sound audible, and mounted appropriately on the walls and ceilings as per the fire safety standards. Family drills of the fire escape plans also enhance the chances of surviving in a home fire incident too. In general, when you perform a careful examination, inspection, testing, and proper maintenance of your smoke alarms, you are also doing something positive to ensure the safety of your family.
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