Smoke detector / carbon monoxide detector battery replacement

​To guarantee safety, it is important to replace the battery of the smoke/carbon monoxide detector in time. But what is 'in time'? Well, in most cases the detector will beep regularly (every few seconds) when the battery is almost empty. This does not only apply to smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors that only work on a battery, but also to wired smoke detectors. These are often equipped with a backup battery. And it is precisely the backup battery that is sometimes overlooked.

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Step-by-step plan for replacing a smoke detector battery

To ensure safety, it is important to replace the smoke detector batteries on time and regularly. Replacing batteries is easy.

Step 1: Remove smoke detector from ceilingRemove the smoke detector from the mounting plate. This can be done by turning the detector or by using a screwdriver to push the tab of the mounting plate inwards. Please note that when replacing the battery of a wired 230V smoke detector, you must switch off the power to the smoke detector in question in the meter cupboard. There are generally 2 ways to easily remove a smoke detector from the ceiling. The 2 most common methods are:

1. Turn the smoke detector counterclockwise (bayonet lock) from the mounting

2. Press a plastic tab with a small screwdriver

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Step 2: Remove the dead battery

Remove the dead battery by pulling it out of the back of the smoke detector. The battery may be behind a cover or slide, which you will of course need to remove first.

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Step 3: Install new battery

Place a new battery of the same type in the smoke detector with the plus (+) of the battery on the same side as the plus (+) of the old battery was. Now you are not the first (and certainly not the last) who did not remember, or did not even look at how the battery(s) were in. No problem, that's what we are for. With a 'block battery' it is very simple: the connection only fits on the battery in one way.

 

 

 

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​The above images are only examples for clarification, so the colors can of course differ. For example, the blue of the left image is often black and the colors of the right image can be all the colors of the rainbow, so to speak, every brand has its own colors.

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With penlite batteries (AA or AAA) there is a marking in the part where the battery is placed, namely a plus and a minus sign. If that is not the case, we have a trick for that: hopefully (which is unfortunately not always the case) there is a spring on one side of the semi-circular recess where the battery is placed. Even then it is simple: by definition the spring side is the side against which the minus side of the battery should be placed.

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As you can see in both images, the plus and/or minus sign is sometimes difficult to find, hence
our trick, described above the photos, to insert the batteries correctly.

Step 4: Install battery cover
Depending on the type of smoke detector you have, close the battery by placing the slider or cover.

Step 5: Hanging the smoke detector
Place the smoke detector on the mounting plate. Turn it in the opposite direction on the plate, by clicking or sliding it on. Check that it is properly secured and switch the power back on if necessary.
Do you want to know if the smoke detector is hanging in the ideal place? Then read our article about placing a smoke detector and you will know!

Step 6: Test the smoke detectorPress the test button on the smoke detector for at least five seconds to see if the detector is working. If everything is working properly, the alarm will sound and a red flashing light will be visible.

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