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While smoke detectors draw very little power, you can only put a certain amount on a circuit. This is determined by the manufacturer's specifications which must ALWAYS be consulted. Some manufacturers only allow 9 per a circuit, others 11, and some brands may even be more. If you were to try to put more than the designated amount on that circuit, the detectors would not work as they were designed to, and most certainly would not pass a fire inspection. If it is a large house that a system is being installed in, a low-voltage system is always the best way to go.
As a side-note, just because a given device only uses so much power, the National Electrical Code (NEC) still has guidelines that MUST be followed. A "continuous load" as defined by the NEC is something that stays on for more than 3 hours at a time - and it states that you can't load a circuit more than 80% of its capacity.
Lighting is a perfect example, so let's use light bulbs as an analogy.
A 60-watt light bulb uses .5 amps at 120 volts (60 watts divided by 120 volts is .5 amps). Therefore, on a 15 amp circuit, you would think that you're able to put 30 of these 60-watt light fixtures on a circuit, right? Actually, no.
Lighting is most certainly considered a continuous load, because you definitely leave your lights on for more than 3 hours at a time. Therefore, per the Code, that circuit can only accept 80% of its capacity because of the continuous load, leaving you with 12 amps (80% of 15). This means that you can only use 24 of those 60 watt fixtures, not 30.
Wiring is not a hobby - always hire a licensed and qualified electrician.
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What should I do with old smoke detectors?
Old smoke detectors should be properly disposed of according to local regulations. Many manufacturers offer recycling programs for old smoke detectors to ensure they are disposed of safely and responsibly. Contact the manufacturer or your local waste management facility for guidance on how to properly dispose of old smoke detectors.
Where can you buy smoke detectors?
Check out the smoke detector installation section of this link for more information. Its in section 3. There are many guidelines that may vary from state to state, so you may have to get a local codebook for your state or territory.
How can I properly recycle smoke detectors to ensure they are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner?
To properly recycle smoke detectors in an environmentally friendly manner, you can contact the manufacturer or a local hazardous waste facility for guidance on safe disposal options. Many manufacturers offer take-back programs for recycling old smoke detectors. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the detectors are recycled in an environmentally responsible way.
How many coils in air circuit breaker?
Air circuit breakers typically have multiple coils for different functions, such as opening and closing the circuit breaker, tripping mechanisms, and for auxiliary purposes. The exact number of coils can vary depending on the manufacturer and specific model of the air circuit breaker.
What the radioactive element is used in smoke detectors?
It's usually americium-241. It undergoes alpha-decay with a half-life of about 400 years. Am-241 is artificially manufactured; it doesn't occur in nature.
