Why Kidde Specifies A Non-GFCI Circuit For Wired In Smoke Alarms ?

[Robert11]

Hello:

About to buy a few Kidde P12000 Smoke alarms.
The AC wired type, with both ionization and photocell.

Looked at their on-line instructions, and was surprised
to see that they say to install on circuits that are NOT
GFCI protected.

Seems surprising.

Anyone know the reason why ?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Matt]

Just a guess, but probably because GFIs trip and sometimes go weeks
before being noticed.

 

[Crash Gordon®]

EXACTLY.
Yet keep running into houses where the electricians who installed them on gfi's.

 

[Michael B. Baker]

NFPA 70-2002 760.21 NPLFA Circuit Power Source Requirements.
The power source of non-power-limited fire alarm circuits shall comply with
Chapters 1 through 4, and the output voltage shall not be more than 600
volts, nominal. These circuits shall not be supplied through ground-fault
circuit interrupters.

Best regards,

Mike

--
Michael B. Baker, SET
Michael Baker & Associates Inc
PO Box 737
Gladstone, OR 97027-0737
503-657-8888 v
503-655-1014 f
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