Why Use Hard Wired?

• The only alarm type that complies with requirements of local Building Regulations is that
  supplied by a mains power source.
  Battery Only alarms are not acceptable.
  
  
• Always interconnectable up to 24 units.
  
• Green/Red LED's, indicating healthy power and state of alarm. 

+10 Year Models with sealed in lithium back up

+Far less likely to be tampered with than DC(Battery)  alarms, where battery misappropriation
 is an issue In rented dwellings.
 (e.g. Where the battery is borrowed for use in another household appliance and never
 replaced.)

 Benefits of Interconnection?

• You enjoy Wide Area Protection:
  This means an alarm downstairs that senses fire at night, will sound all interconnected alarms.
  This extra few minutes of warning to waken the family, can mean the difference between life and death.
  
  (Hard Wired CO Alarms shown)

• With Kidde's Smart Interconnection feature you can interconnect, AC Smoke, Heat & CO Alarms:
  in a Fire situation all interconnected alarms will sound.
  If a CO alarm is triggered, it will only trigger other Kidde CO alarms.

Kidde's fast fit Slick® range of smoke & heat alarms are fully compatible with the standard
ranges. Q&A sheet here.

• *Note: if single alarm installation, leave terminal unconnected
  (with sheathing intact on models with cable harness connection; see picture below.)

• These are double insulated products and do not need earthing: never use earth conductor to interconnect.
  – use 3 core and earth cable.
  Use yellow strand or black [ in new 3 core & earth] cabling, for in ter connect line.
• Interconnect using YELLOW strand on old 3 core & earth cable, or BLACK on New
  harmonised colours;  if interconnecting using old & new cable take great care
  / follow IEE Reqs and label at all affected junctions.

  ---

• Hard wired alarms must all be interconnected on one circuit and ideally with a dedicated circuit breaker;
  the previous alternate method of linking in to an adjacent lighting circuit is no longer permitted.
  Lighting circuits have been found to be transmitters of electrical interefernce from sources such as
  Low Voltage lighting transformers, dimmer switches &
  related cabling, electronic ballasts.
  Additionally, the latest UK Wiring Regs refer to "Safety Services" being on a dedicated circuit,
  and the circuit needs the ability to be isolated for maintenance purposes; having lighting on same circuit makes this impractical.
  Our Installer Manuals reflect this new thinking.
  Though our products are tested under the EMC Directive as part of their Kitemark Appproval, other electrical accessories with no such approvals
  Are found in many homes.

Note since 2005 the colours have changed, as below;
old is on left, new harmonised colour on right.: