Sacedog
Active Member
I'm getting ready to start construction on a new home, and will be doing all of the LV wiring myself. I spent some time down at the planning dept, and speaking with the local fire inspector, regarding all of the different aspects of the wiring.
They require that all smokes in new construction be 120VAC powered, with a batter backup. SO I need to figure out what my best option is for smokes (I had planned on using 4-wire ones).
I have seen the info on the GE ESL350CX by searching the site, and if I understand correctly, you can either wire these with LV to one smoke, that will send a signal if any of the smokes are tripped, or you can wire each smoke individually to send a signal if just that one smoke is tripped.
Is it worth it to have the contractor install these smokes instead, and wire each one back to the Elk? Or am I better off letting the contractor install whatever they normally do, and just replacing the smoke nearest to the Elk, with the 350CX, and connect that one smoke back to the Elk?
I realize that in the latter scenario, I would not be able to see which smoke is going off; but frankly, the purpose of the smokes is to get you and your family safely out of the house, and not to walk over to the nearest touchscreen and say "Hmmmm. I wonder where the fire is..."
Any opinions on the this would be appreciated.
They require that all smokes in new construction be 120VAC powered, with a batter backup. SO I need to figure out what my best option is for smokes (I had planned on using 4-wire ones).
I have seen the info on the GE ESL350CX by searching the site, and if I understand correctly, you can either wire these with LV to one smoke, that will send a signal if any of the smokes are tripped, or you can wire each smoke individually to send a signal if just that one smoke is tripped.
Is it worth it to have the contractor install these smokes instead, and wire each one back to the Elk? Or am I better off letting the contractor install whatever they normally do, and just replacing the smoke nearest to the Elk, with the 350CX, and connect that one smoke back to the Elk?
I realize that in the latter scenario, I would not be able to see which smoke is going off; but frankly, the purpose of the smokes is to get you and your family safely out of the house, and not to walk over to the nearest touchscreen and say "Hmmmm. I wonder where the fire is..."

Any opinions on the this would be appreciated.