BAFFLING smoke alarm problem

[SeanSparky]

Yes

Guessing? Are you a plumber?

 

[SeanSparky]

Yes

Guessing? Are you a plumber?

 

[Midwest]

That's the standard pendant light, Swithed live, N, and loop,
I've jumped off the loop, N and earth

If the 'standard pendant' has been connected & wired by someone else, are you sure that has been correctly wired up? If not, and the sw L, lives, and neutrals have been mixed up, adding the loads (smokes), could present voltage at the neutral of the light when its switched on.

Edit; previously incorrectly wired/connected pendant, would still illuminate when switched on, even though incorrectly connected.

 

[davesparks]

If the only thing that has changed is the addition of the smoke alarms then the only way I can see that they would cause this operation is if they are connected in parallel with the switch, and therefore in series with the light.
When the switch is closed the smoke alarms will be shorted out and when the switch is open they will be in series with the light.

 

[SeanSparky]

I've checked it, everything is correct

If the 'standard pendant' has been connected & wired by someone else, are you sure that has been correctly wired up? If not, and the sw L, lives, and neutrals have been mixed up, adding the loads (smokes), could present voltage at the neutral of the light when its switched on.

 

[davesparks]

I've checked it, everything is correct

Clearly not everything is correct as if it was then you wouldn't have a fault

 

[Midwest]

Well, I would suggest something isn't correct
Edit; ditto

 

[westward10]

Recheck the initial connections to ensure they are at the permanent line and neutral.

 

[SeanSparky]

But the same would happen with only 1 detector connected, but it only happens when both are connected

If the only thing that has changed is the addition of the smoke alarms then the only way I can see that they would cause this operation is if they are connected in parallel with the switch, and therefore in series with the light.
When the switch is closed the smoke alarms will be shorted out and when the switch is open they will be in series with the light.

 

[vjsmarwick]

my only question is what type of lamps are you using ? At a guess I'm thinking LED

 

[Midwest]

Anyhow's, its not working and you need to back to basics. Incidentally, why is a plumber doing someone else's electrics?

 

[Octopus]

A bit puzzling to say the least.....I only fit Aico so have no knowledge of BRK

 

[Wilko]

Just checked the BK heat alarms from Screwie claim interlinking is ok.
So my money's on Dave #24

 

[SeanSparky]

No, energy saver bayonet kind, and don't guess, means your a plumber

my only question is what type of lamps are you using ? At a guess I'm thinking LED

 

[vjsmarwick]

No, energy saver bayonet kind, and don't guess, means your a plumber

Lol sorry for guessing ! have you tried any other lamps

 

[SeanSparky]

No but that was something that was on the cards tomorrow. Start with the simplest of things before I rip the place apart

Lol sorry for guessing ! have you tried any other lamps

 

[SeanSparky]

Because us ---- shovelers can do anything

Anyhow's, its not working and you need to back to basics. Incidentally, why is a plumber doing someone else's electrics?

 

[vjsmarwick]

I don't know but I once wired a 2way and fitted LED lamps that wouldn't go off completely and changed the lamps to another make and all was fine I have also heard of cables run together getting enough power in them to make an energy saver glow ! The folk were convinced they had a ghost maybe it was so unless it's something like that or to do with your battery's in your alarms but like you said better not to guess but not being able to see it makes it harder to picture things. Just trying to think out of the box as your convinced your wiring is right !

 

[davesparks]

But the same would happen with only 1 detector connected, but it only happens when both are connected

Not necessarily, as it's a compact fluorescent lamp it is not a simple resistive load. It will need a minimum voltage across it to illuminate.
With two alarms connected you have half of the resistance in series with the lamp

 

[Paul228]

I would disconnect at the lamp end and run a length of t&e and connect the smoke n heat off its own supply as a temporary measure, this will prove you haven done owt silly and will show if the heat n smoke are compatible.