How do you change the battery in a mains powered smoke alarm when the cover wont come off even with force!?

My smoke alarm keeps bleeping. It is mains powered with battery back up as well so I guessed just change the battery. However it says turn off the mains before removing the cover which I ignored as I dont know how to do this. Also I have put a screwdriver in the side and tried to push it and pull the cover off but it is having none of it. What should I do now , is there a trick I am missing?How do you change the battery in a mains powered smoke alarm when the cover wont come off even with force!?
It sounds like your smoke alarm is hard wired. The beeping or chirping does usually mean that the battery needs to be replaced.



Poking with a screw driver into a hard wired alarm is asking for a short or shock although poser is very low. Turning of the main power source usually means turning off the power in your house at the fuse box which is in your basement or closet if in an apartment.



My guess is that either the compartment you are trying to open is not the battery container (I have done that myself) or you need to slide or put pressure on the compartment lid to open it. It usually indicates on it how to open it or which direction to slide the lid. You may have to remove the alarm to get to the battery.



If you still have the directions, that could be an option.How do you change the battery in a mains powered smoke alarm when the cover wont come off even with force!?
I don't know which alarm you have ~ but if it's main powered with a battery back up, you have to turn the power off before you touch it because the insides are ';live';. To do this, go to your electric meter, and by the side of it will be your fuse box ~ on the front will be a switch, which will turn off all power in the house ~ you are then safe to take the cover off the alarm ~ there will be a screw somewhere that holds the cover on, or it will be ';spring clipped'; so that it just pushes on and off ~ find out which, and replace the battery.



The other course is if your alarm is powered through a transformer [to step down the voltage] in this case, the battery may be in a ';box'; between the fuse box and the alarm ~ follow the wiring back and you will see if this is the case



After all this, when in doubt ~ and playing around with electrics is dangerous if you don't know what you are doing ~ call in a qualified electrician to sort it out.
You have to turn off the mains. Odds are theres an electromagnet holding the case together, as fire alarms usually come off very easily when you twist it right/push and twist it right (not as in right the direction as opposed to left but as in correctly... but you got that.). If you have a fuse box somewhere in the house flick the switch to off to cut the power in the house, otherwise get a friend whos an electrician or a builder to show you/tell you how to cut the power.
There's got to be a trick you are missing. It can't be that difficult.



Turn off the power at the circuit breaker.



My smoke alarm is only battery powered. I just twist it off of the mount and then pop off the cover. I don't know about yours.



If you can tell who the maker of it is, you might get info off their website or at least a number to call.



I'm sure the cover just snaps on. Did you give it a gentle twist?



Good Luck



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It may have a bayonet fitting like a light bulb. are there any markings such as arrows to show you which way to twist it. most are a slight turn to the left, then remove it.
well if you have gone through all this and cant get it off,then just break it off the wall and replace it,or install one close by,but where you can hardwire it back into the circuit
Oh good luck



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Hi, it may need to be twisted off are there directional arrows?
The fact you don't know how to turn off the mains is a clear indication that you shouldn't be poking screw drivers in random places as you are clearly a risk to your own safety and the safety of others around you. STOP!!



Firstly, find out what model your smoke alarm is. Either look at the name on the case, find the box it came in or contact your landlord or the person that installed it (although don't let an electrician talk you into a call out!)



By typing in on Google for ';instructions for'; and then the name of your smoke alarm I am sure you'llll find something.



You might find that the battery backup is not a standard 9v battery IF your smoke alarm is wired into the mains (and/or a burglar alarm - these have their own backup



Normally there is a small plastic catch with simply requires a little pressure (just like mine with I just opened to check I wasn't talking rubbish!) or, more commonly, the cover just twists of.



Always take care when dealing with anything plugged into the mains.... if it there is only 9v there to play with!



You can turn the power off in the fuse box. This is usually near the metre or, if your metre is outside, in a cupboard/on the waller near to the metre, but internally. (A little box, usually with a lid with lots of little switches.... there will be a big one labelled ';mains)