GE Smoke Detector

[snickster]

WE are finally close to moving in our new house that I prewired back in Jan- Feb.
I did not prewire for the smoke alarms , but the electrician did the standard setup.
As I understand it , they are all connected together and the last one is in an unfinished basement that will have good access to connect with the Elk M1 Gold system.
The question I have is , can he just use his regular smoke detectors and leave the last one in the chain off so I can connect one with the relay like the GE 350CX , or does the whole system have to be GE 350s ?
I just want them all to go off when any one of them does and to alert the ELK.
Are there other smokes that will work ?
We are wired for 10 detectors in the house .
Thanks !

PS

Looks like another learning curve is about to start for me with this system.

 

[BrettS]

When I set up my system I replaced all of my smokes with GE 350's and one GE 350cx. I did that because I wanted to be sure that everything would work together, and also because I wanted photoelectric smokes instead of ionization ones. Photoelectric ones can have a better response time for smoldering type fires and are less subject to false alarms from burining something in the kitchen or whatever. Also, if you look most of the smokes that are designed to be connected to an alarm system are photoelectric.

That said, however, I have seen several posts from other people that suggest that they replaced a single smoke with a GE350cx and it did work with several other brands of smokes. If it was me, I'd try to ask my builder to install GE 350 smokes and then you wouldn't need to worry about it. If it's too late for that or he won't put in the GE ones, then get the 350cx and try it and see if it works. If not, then get 350's to replace the other smokes.

Brett

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

I just replaced one of my seven builder installed smoke detectors with a GE unit (350CX I believe) and it worked with all the others in regards to its contact closure (its contacts would trip if it or any of the other already installed smoke detectors went off).

 

[snickster]

Thanks for the replies.
I may just let the builder go ahead and put his in then try the one GE 350cx and see if works with his.
BSR , do you recall what detectors your builder used ?
Thanks,
Mark

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

BSR , do you recall what detectors your builder used ?

It was some off brand, but I should have the one I replaced with the GE unit still in my garage. If I forget to reply to you tonight, send me a PM.

 

[CDC]

The signal between the individual smokes is carried on the third wire in the circuit. This only works if there is 120v on the circuit. As installers, we don't like using the relays to interfce with a security panel. If, for instance, there was a lighning strike that knocked out the power and also started a fire. There would be no indication at the panel and hence no signal to the monitoring station. Also, in several instances, when 120v is restored to the smoke circuit, a signal was sent that triggered the security panel causing a false alarm. In situations where we have tied to the 120v smokes we always use detectors and relays by the same manuf.. In addition we always use at least 1 system smoke detector and usually several to provide adequate coverage. Just my $.02.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

BSR , do you recall what detectors your builder used ?

It was some off brand, but I should have the one I replaced with the GE unit still in my garage. If I forget to reply to you tonight, send me a PM.

Firex Model 120-1182

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

The signal between the individual smokes is carried on the third wire in the circuit. This only works if there is 120v on the circuit. As installers, we don't like using the relays to interfce with a security panel. If, for instance, there was a lighning strike that knocked out the power and also started a fire. There would be no indication at the panel and hence no signal to the monitoring station. Also, in several instances, when 120v is restored to the smoke circuit, a signal was sent that triggered the security panel causing a false alarm. In situations where we have tied to the 120v smokes we always use detectors and relays by the same manuf.. In addition we always use at least 1 system smoke detector and usually several to provide adequate coverage. Just my $.02.

You are correct but my reasoning was I wanted something to tie into my existing seven detectors and this was better than nothing The alarms have battery backup and the indication is via Emails and Text Messaging which has the required hardware to do this also on battery backup (two UPS units).

 

[redondo_se]

Sorry for double posting, but I need to get new smokes ASAP. Does anyone know a reliable online store where I can buy the GE 350 and 350CX. I've searched, but all the one's I can find have bad reviews.

Thanks,
Sean.

 

[beelzerob]

You double post....I double answer.

Call anthony at setnetpro.com. That's where I got mine.