What Does A Blinking Green Light Mean on A Smoke Detector? Power outage, brownout, or other power issues indicate flashes or blinks
Fire warning systems installed at homes offer a higher chance of protecting almost half of the properties and the people in them during potentially fatal fires. For this reason, the NFPA 72 requires all homeowners to have smoke detectors installed since modern homes are susceptible to the quick spread of fire. If you have smoke alarm systems fitted in your house, you may have experienced some occasional blinking of the smoke detector. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the possible reasons behind this, as listed in this article.
Why Do Smoke Detectors Blink?
For most residential smoke detectors, blinks are common; you need to be conversant with the colors showing. Different smoke alarms use the green and red LED to indicate the device’s power status such that a flashing green means low battery while a constant blink means AC power is connected. Depending on the model of the detector you purchase, a flashing red light indicates that there is an efficient power supply and that the tool is operating correctly. If the flickering tends to go on for a minute or two, this shows that the detector is working efficiently.
Why Your Smoke Detector Keeps Blinking Green?
It is often that homeowner frequently asks why my smoke detector has a blinking green light and what does it mean? Owning a smoke alarm requires you to be on the constant lookout for any changes of color of the LED lights installed on it. A blinking smoke detector tends to happen most times; it, however, has different meanings.
For instance, a flashing green light is a common and expected part of a smoked detector’s power upcycle. When there is a power outage, a surge, brownout, or any other power issue, the alarm goes through a power upcycle. When this happens, the device will indicate flashes or blinks, which stop after every 5 minutes. If the power problems stop, your device ought to indicate a steady green light. Therefore, when you note a constant green LED light, your smoke alarm has ample AC power supply and works correctly. In addition to this, often check the position of wiring on your smoked detector to prevent any other problem in the future.
Besides blinking green, the detector may also have a flashing red light on it. The blinking red light often indicates that the detector is functioning correctly and is in good shape. It also indicates that the batteries placed in the tool are well connected to the smoke alarm.
It is worth noting that the green and red LED light flashes every after 30 seconds showing that the tool is operating normally and once every 2 seconds to indicate that it is in a hush mode. The Hush mode feature serves the purpose of temporarily silencing your smoke alarm, especially in cases when you are experiencing nuisance alarms often caused by insignificant smoke without having to disable the alarm. Smoke detectors with this feature usually silence the alarm and automatically reset themselves, enhancing the functioning of the detector since it prevents removing its battery or disconnecting its power source every time you experience a nuisance alarm.
Do Smoke Detectors Experience Blinking Issues?
The most commonly used smoke detectors in the USA are Electric smoke detectors with battery backup and Battery-powered smoke alarms. These devices tend to make a chirping sound once the battery requires changing or an error in its processor. In some cases, you may experience a continuous chirp noise even after changing batteries and errors cleared, especially in electrically powered smoke alarms that have a battery backup. Most importantly, you should know the difference between a chirping sound and an intermittent alarm. An intermittent alarm is lower-pitched and randomly goes on for several seconds. A chirping noise has a higher pitch tone and goes on at equal intervals once every minute.
Common Reasons Why Smoke Alarms Chirp
Some of the reasons that your smoke detector is producing this high-pitched tone all the time;
- The battery drawer is open
A standard functioning device needs to have its battery drawer wholly closed for the battery to be in contact with the terminals.
- Low Battery
If you have installed a battery-powered smoke alarm, the battery can wear out with time. The device will chirp every once a minute to inform you that the battery ought to be replaced.
- Need for a whole device replacement
Depending on the model you have purchased, smoked alarms can last for a period of eight to ten years. If you have them for a more extended period than this, the detector will beep, indicating that it has reached the end of its lifetime. To confirm this, take the device off and check its manufacturing date on the back and if it is past its lifetime, ensure you replace it immediately.
To stop this blinking issue, carry out a proper battery replacement on your device and check for proper wiring. If the smoke alarm still goes off after battery replacement and there is no smoke, this could mean that the battery you have placed has insufficient power, and you need to try a good battery. In addition to this, if the chirp sound goes on when you are experiencing a brownout, momentarily disconnect the power till proper electrical power is back.
The majority of residential accidents in the United States are often caused by a fire, which has led to property loss, injuries, and even death. To avoid these accidents from causing you a lot of damage, you can install a properly working smoke detector in your home. It is a necessary tool to have since it is an indispensable mode of protection, giving you alerts in a fire at home. Ensure that you purchase an efficient smoke alarm from renowned manufacturers in the US and keep yourself up to date with information on how to take care of your smoke detector.