EricJM Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 I have an old, hard-wired smoke detector that has a battery backup. The wires to the power are cut, and it does not have a battery, yet in complete darkness, it emits a faint green light. My first inclination was that the detector contained a hidden camera and the light is coming from the IR emitter, however my cell phone camera does not detect any IR. Does anyone have an explanation? Do LED's act as capacitors? This is a 60's or 70's model detector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
green-foam Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 Smoke detectors in general should be replaced every 10 years, If this detector is as old as you say, then it should be replaced, thereby removing the concern for a green light. As an aside LED's do not act as capacitors, even if they did, they would (in theory) emit the colour of light they are supposed to. Are you sure the material of the detector is not Luminous? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alyce Posted September 10, 2022 Report Share Posted September 10, 2022 Can you cover the green light on a smoke detector without affecting function? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
green-foam Posted September 12, 2022 Report Share Posted September 12, 2022 No. If you did then you would not know if it is powered or not, which is the function of the green LED Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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