Kidde 20SA10-CA: lights, beeps & chirps explained
Hardwired photoelectric smoke alarm, 10-year sealed backup. Here is what every light and sound on the Kidde 20SA10-CA means, how to test and hush it, and when it needs replacing. I install this model across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
What the lights mean
| Light | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green, steady | Running on household power. Normal. |
| Green, blinks about every 60 s | Running on the backup battery (power is off or the breaker tripped). |
| Red, flashing with the alarm | This alarm sensed smoke. On interconnected alarms, only the one that started it flashes red. |
| Red, blinks every 2 s | Hush mode. It will reset by itself in a few minutes. |
| Red, blinks every 15 s | Smoke alarm memory: it sounded in the last 24 hours. Press the button to clear. |
| Amber, blinks + chirp every 60 s | Low battery. Sealed battery: the alarm needs replacing. |
| Amber, blinks + chirp every 60 s, soon after install | False low battery: power was connected before the backup battery was activated. Call the installer to reset it. |
| Amber, 2 blinks + 2 chirps every 60 s | End of life (10 years). Replace the alarm. |
| Amber, blinks + 3 chirps every 60 s | Smoke sensor fault. Press the button once to try a reset; if it continues, replace the alarm. |
| Amber, 3 blinks + 3 chirps every 60 s | Fatal fault. Press the button once to try a reset; if it continues, replace it. |
| Amber, 4 blinks + 3 chirps every 60 s | The test/hush button is stuck. Press it to free it; if it stays stuck, replace the alarm. |
| No light, constant tone | Internal failure (MCU). Replace the alarm. |
What the beeps and chirps mean
| Sound | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 3 long beeps, pause, repeat | SMOKE. Get everyone out and call 911. |
| 1 chirp every 60 s | Low battery (sealed: replace the alarm). Press once to silence for 24 h. |
| 2 chirps every 60 s | End of life. Replace the alarm. Press to silence for 24 h. |
| 3 chirps every 60 s | Fault. Replace the alarm. |
Want to hear them? The free app's sound library plays each pattern.
How to
Test it
Press and release the test/hush button. The alarm sounds its pattern, then stops. Kidde recommends testing weekly.
Hush a nuisance alarm
Press the button on the alarm that is flashing red. It goes quiet for several minutes, then resets. Very heavy smoke overrides hush. Never hush a real alarm.
Clear the memory light
Press the button once. Memory clears by itself after 24 hours.
End of life
Two chirps every minute with two amber blinks means the 10 years are up. You can silence it for 24 hours, but after 7 days it can't be silenced. The sealed battery can't be switched off for storage; it must be permanently discharged before disposal (Kidde's procedure is on its support site, or Richard does it when he replaces it).
After a power outage
The alarm runs on its sealed backup battery and the green light blinks instead of staying on. When power returns, the green light goes steady again. A low-battery chirp after a long outage means the backup is used up: replace the alarm.
Interconnects with up to 24 Kidde devices.
How long does it last?
Replace it 10 years after the date printed on the back. The test button can still work after the sensor has worn out, so the date is what counts. Sometimes the date is on the side, but the back is the best place to look. Need one swapped? See smoke alarm replacement and repair.
Price
$69.99 installed, plus the flat $99.99 service fee. GST only. See all prices.
Source: manufacturer's manual. Always follow the instructions that came with your alarm.
Other alarm guides
Kidde 30CUA10-VCA · Kidde 30CUD10-CA · Kidde 20SD10-CA · Kidde 900-0235 · Kidde i12010S · Kidde i12010SCO · Kidde i12040ACA · Kidde 900-0220CA · Kidde P4010ACS
All alarm guides · Chirp codes: Kidde vs First Alert · Kidde smoke alarms in Vancouver