1. Introduction and Overview
This manual provides essential information for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your Kidde Hardwired Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector, Model 900-CUAR-V. This device is designed to detect both smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) gas, offering comprehensive protection for your home. It operates on 120V AC household electricity and includes a 2-AA battery backup for continuous operation during power outages.
The detector features advanced sensing technology, voice alerts, LED indicators, and interconnectivity with compatible Kidde alarms. Regular testing and maintenance are crucial for ensuring its proper function.
Image 1.1: The Kidde Hardwired Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm, showing its design and packaging.
2. Safety Information
Please read and understand all instructions before installing and operating this alarm. Keep this manual for future reference.
- Important: This alarm is designed for residential use only.
- Electrical Safety: Always turn off power at the circuit breaker before installing or performing maintenance on the alarm.
- Placement: Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. Refer to local codes and the provided placement guide for optimal safety.
- Testing: Self-testing components ensure the alarm is operating as expected, but this is not a substitute for a manual push test. Perform a button test once per week to verify proper alarm operation.
- UL Certified: This product meets UL 217 9th Edition, UL 2034 4th Edition, and FCC standards.
Image 2.1: A diagram illustrating recommended placement of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and other safety devices within a typical home layout.
Image 2.2: A map of the United States indicating states with Carbon Monoxide alarm requirements and specific Smoke Alarm requirements.
3. Package Contents
Verify that all items are present in the package:
- Kidde Hardwired Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Model 900-CUAR-V)
- 2 AA Batteries (pre-installed or included separately)
- User Manual (this document)
- Mounting Bracket
4. Features
The Kidde 900-CUAR-V detector incorporates several features for enhanced safety and user convenience:
- 2-in-1 Detection: Detects both smoke (fire) and carbon monoxide (CO) gas from a single unit.
- Hardwired with Battery Backup: Operates on 120V AC household current with two AA alkaline batteries providing backup power during outages.
- Enhanced Sensing Technology: Utilizes photoelectric sensing for visible fire particles (smoldering fires) and an electrochemical sensor for carbon monoxide detection. This technology helps reduce false alarms from cooking.
- Voice Alerts: Provides clear voice announcements such as "Fire! Fire!" or "Warning! Carbon Monoxide!" to clearly identify the hazard.
- Interconnect Capability: When one alarm sounds, all compatible interconnected alarms in your home will sound, providing earlier warning. (Compatibility varies; refer to the user guide for specific models.)
- Self-Testing Alarm: Internal components continuously monitor the unit's functionality to ensure it is operating as expected.
- LED Notifications: Three distinct LED lights indicate the alarm's status: Green (normal operation), Amber (fault/error), and Red (smoke or CO detected).
- Smart-Hush Button: Temporarily silences nuisance alarms (e.g., from cooking or shower steam) for approximately 8 minutes.
- 10-Year Limited Warranty: Provides coverage for a decade from the power-on date.
Image 4.1: Illustration showing the detector's capability to detect both smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) gas.
Image 4.2: A graphic depicting how interconnected alarms work, where if one alarm sounds, all connected alarms in the house will activate.
Image 4.3: Visual representation of photoelectric sensing technology detecting smoke particles.
Image 4.4: A clock graphic surrounding the alarm, indicating its 24/7 self-testing capability.
5. Setup and Installation
Follow these steps for proper installation of your Kidde 900-CUAR-V detector:
- Turn Off Power: Before beginning any electrical work, ensure the power to the circuit where you will install the alarm is turned off at the main circuit breaker.
- Mounting Bracket Installation: Secure the mounting bracket to the ceiling or wall using the provided screws. The bracket allows for installation in multiple orientations.
- Wiring: Connect the alarm's wiring harness to your home's 120V AC electrical wiring. Match the black wire to black, white to white, and red/orange (interconnect) to red/orange. If replacing an older unit, you may need to replace the existing wiring harness with the new one provided, as connector styles can vary. Ensure all connections are secure.
- Battery Installation: Insert the two AA batteries into the battery compartment. Ensure correct polarity. The alarm will typically chirp or indicate power-on.
- Attach Alarm to Bracket: Align the alarm with the mounting bracket and twist clockwise until it locks securely into place.
- Restore Power: Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker. The green LED should illuminate, indicating the alarm is receiving AC power.
- Test the Alarm: Press and hold the Test/Hush button for a few seconds until the alarm sounds. This confirms proper operation.
Image 5.1: The included mounting bracket, designed for simple and quick installation in four orientations.
6. Operation
Once installed and powered, your Kidde 900-CUAR-V detector will continuously monitor for smoke and carbon monoxide. Here's how it operates:
- Normal Operation: The green LED will flash approximately once every 60 seconds, indicating the alarm is functioning correctly and receiving AC power.
- Smoke/Fire Alarm: If smoke is detected, the alarm will sound an 85-decibel horn pattern (three long beeps, pause, three long beeps) and the red LED will flash. The voice alert will announce "Fire! Fire!".
- Carbon Monoxide Alarm: If carbon monoxide is detected, the alarm will sound a pattern of four quick beeps, pause, four quick beeps, and the red LED will flash. The voice alert will announce "Warning! Carbon Monoxide!".
- Low Battery Warning: When the AA batteries are low, the alarm will chirp approximately once every 60 seconds, and the amber LED will flash. The voice alert will announce "Low Battery!".
- End-of-Life Warning: After approximately 10 years of operation, the alarm will indicate it needs replacement by chirping every 30 seconds and flashing the amber LED. The voice alert will announce "Replace Alarm!".
- Smart-Hush Feature: Press the Test/Hush button during a nuisance alarm (e.g., from cooking) to temporarily silence the alarm for about 8 minutes. The red LED will flash every 10 seconds during the hush period.
Image 6.1: A visual representation of the voice alerts for different alarm conditions: "Fire! Fire!", "Warning, Carbon Monoxide", and "Low Battery".
Image 6.2: Depiction of the three LED notification colors and their meanings: Green (Powered On), Amber (Fault/Error), and Red (Smoke/CO Alarm).
7. Maintenance
Regular maintenance ensures the longevity and reliability of your detector:
- Weekly Test: Press and hold the Test/Hush button weekly to ensure the alarm circuitry, horn, and battery are functioning. The alarm should sound and voice alerts should activate.
- Battery Replacement: When the alarm indicates a low battery (chirping and "Low Battery!" voice alert), replace both AA batteries immediately. Use high-quality alkaline batteries such as Energizer E91 AA or Gold Peak brands. Ensure the replacement batteries have a sufficient expiration date.
- Cleaning: Clean the alarm regularly (at least once a month) to remove dust and debris. Use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to gently vacuum around the alarm's vents. Do not paint the alarm or use cleaning sprays near it.
- End-of-Life Replacement: The alarm has a 10-year operational life. When the "Replace Alarm!" voice alert sounds, the entire unit must be replaced. The 10-year period begins when the alarm is first powered on.
Image 7.1: A graphic indicating the alarm's 10-year detection lifespan, after which it will alert you for replacement.
8. Troubleshooting
Refer to this section for common issues and their solutions:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Alarm sounds intermittently or falsely (smoke). | Cooking fumes, steam, high humidity, dust, insects. | Use the Smart-Hush button. Relocate alarm if consistently triggered by nuisance sources. Clean the alarm. |
| Alarm chirps every 60 seconds, voice says "Low Battery!". | Batteries are low. | Replace both AA batteries immediately with new, high-quality alkaline batteries. |
| Amber LED flashes, alarm chirps, or voice indicates fault. | Internal fault or connection issue. | Press the Test/Hush button. If the fault persists, ensure wiring connections are secure. If still unresolved, the unit may be defective and require replacement. |
| Voice says "Replace Alarm!". | Alarm has reached its end-of-life (approximately 10 years). | Replace the entire alarm unit with a new one. |
| Interconnected alarms do not all sound. | Incompatible models, wiring issue, or fault in one unit. | Ensure all interconnected alarms are compatible Kidde models. Check interconnect wiring. Test each alarm individually. |
9. Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kidde |
| Model Number | 900-CUAR-V |
| Power Source | 120V AC Hardwired with 2 AA Battery Backup |
| Color | White |
| Product Dimensions (D x W x H) | 5.6" x 5.6" x 2" |
| Item Weight | 8.48 ounces |
| Alarm Type | Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm |
| Operating Humidity | 10%-95% relative humidity, non-condensing |
| Upper Temperature Rating | 100 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Sensor Type | Electrochemical (CO), Photoelectric (Smoke) |
| UPC | 047871320868 |
| Included Components | 2 AA Batteries, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm, User Manual |
Image 9.1: Diagram showing the physical dimensions of the Kidde Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm (approximately 4.95" diameter and 1.93" depth).
10. Warranty and Support
Your Kidde Hardwired Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector (Model 900-CUAR-V) is backed by a 10-year limited manufacturer's warranty. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship from the date the alarm is first powered on. If the power-on date is unknown, it is assumed that alarms should be replaced after 10 years from the manufacturing date.
For warranty claims, technical assistance, or further information, please refer to the contact details provided on the Kidde official website or within the product packaging. Do not attempt to repair the unit yourself, as this may void the warranty and compromise safety.
