Smoke alarms require manufacturer-specified battery brand

[snopes]

Comment: I recall a news story that stated a certain brand or brands of
smoke alarms require a specified brand name of battery and that using the
wrong battery brand caused the batteries to either explode or malfunction.
Can you confirm if this is possibly correct?

[TrekkerScout]

In my 21 years as an electrician, I have installed many smoke detectors. Most of the units that I am familiar with recommend specific brands and models of replacement batteries (usually Duracell, Eveready, and/or any long-life lithium battery). From my understanding, the recommended batteries are the ones that have been proven in lab and field tests to be the most reliable batteries for the specific model of smoke detector. The use of a non-recommended battery (especially in battery powered units) may cause premature failure of the unit. This is primarily due to many batteries (bargain brands) having an inadequate power rating for the smoke detector in either not being able to provide enough power for the unit to operate (slow discharge rate) or by having a short battery life. I have never heard of a battery exploding while in a smoke detector. However, using non-recommended batteries may cause a smoke detector to malfunction and almost certainly will invalidate the warranty.

[Troberg]

However, using non-recommended batteries may cause a smoke detector to malfunction and almost certainly will invalidate the warranty.

The warranty is only affected in some jurisdictions. In Sweden, it's not, as it would limit consumer choice.

Smoke detectors use radioactive material to detect smoke: Perhaps some types of battery have substances inside that are also mildly radioactive, affecting the detector's performance?

[Silas Sparkhammer]

Originally Posted by SALAManda

Smoke detectors use radioactive material to detect smoke: Perhaps some types of battery have substances inside that are also mildly radioactive, affecting the detector's performance?

Afraid not. The ugly truth is that the manufacturer of the alarm has signed an endorsement agreement with a battery manufacturer, getting money in return for their naming of a battery brand.

Voiding the warranty would not stand up in court in the U.S. If the smoke detector manufacturer recommended "Duracell" and I used "Energizer," and they tried to void the warranty, not only would the consumer have a strong claim against them...so would Energizer!

Also, the UL would step in and threaten to remove their approval from the manufacturer, since both Duracell and Energizer are UL approved.

Silas

[hambubba]

You could also hardwire a properly sized DC adapter to one, via a 9-V battery clip, and it would work perfectly well, other than in a power failure.

No way that would void the warranty, as long as you didn't modify the detector itself.

[Silas Sparkhammer]

Originally Posted by hambubba

You could also hardwire a properly sized DC adapter to one, via a 9-V battery clip, and it would work perfectly well, other than in a power failure.

No way that would void the warranty, as long as you didn't modify the detector itself.

I just looked at mine, and there is a kind of lever that the battery depresses. If the battery weren't there, the lever would be open. I don't know if that has any effect on operation.

Personally, I'm with you: I like using AC adapters for various household thingies. Maybe a little wasteful, but saves a heap of labor.

Silas

P.S. It does occur to me that a power failure might not be an unexpected event accompanying a fire.