Testing Interlinked Smoke Detectors

[DIYWell]

Three mains powered interlinked smoke detectors with battery backup.

Me: Press test button on one unit, all alarms trigger, job done.

Higher Authority: Press button on each unit, all alarms trigger three times, then job done.

Me: Pressing second and third buttons just tests the buttons since all alarms triggered on first press

Higher Authority: Then why isn't there a button on a wall to press and save reaching up?!

Me: Cos Screwfix don't do them dearest. Can I have a cuppa?

Higher Authority: Yes and make me one too.


So, on the assumption I'm right, I'm thinking detector dumps a voltage to the interlink wire relative to neutral? Optoisolator, box of bits, inhale flux vapour, job done. Anyone got a pointer to a DIY hack? Plan B: buy cheapest interlinked detector from same maunfacturer, cut away unwanted components until I'm left with a mains powered voltage dumper and a button to press.

 

[OwainDIYer]

Plan C - buy smoke detectors from a range that has a wall-mounted test/hush detector.

 

[EightyTwo]

The button simulates the detector part detecting smoke. This means that it tests quite a lot of the internal circuitry, not just the beeper.

The Higher Authority was right... as always

Plan A+. Use canned smoke, once every 4 months, on each unit in turn.

 

[SimonH2]

+1 for Plan C
I believe most of them also double up as "silence all but alarmed sensor" - allowing quick identification of the alarm.

I'm looking at AICO models for when I get the wiring in. IIRC the remote buttons are wireless for those.

But back to the original question. Pressing the button does more than sound the alarm. I assume it also tests (at least some of) the electronics and sensor. So pressing the button on each unit does more than just test the sounder.

 

[Lectrician]

I seem to remember Aico advising against the use of canned smoke?