Kidde KN-COB-ICB-CA, KN-COB-IC-CA User Manual

SINGLE AND/OR MULTIPLE STA TION CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM
This alarm meets CSA 6.19-01 Standard
for Residential Carbon Monoxide Alarming Devices.

Thank you for purchasing this Kidde Nighthawk™ Carbon
Monoxide Alarm. This alarm is suitable as a Single Station
and/or Multiple Station (24 devices) alarm, and has a five-year
limited warranty.

ATTENTION: Please take a few minutes to thoroughly read

this manual, which should be saved for future reference and
passed on to any subsequent owner. If you have any
questions about the operation or installation of your alarm,
please call our toll free Consumer Hotline at 1-800-581-6742.

IMPORTANT: This carbon monoxide alarm is designed to
detect carbon monoxide from any source of combustion.
It is not designed to detect smoke, fire, or any other gas.
Not suitable for installation in hazardous locations.

Front Back

Red
Alarm
LED

AC Connector Pins

Battery
Compartment
(Optional)

Green
Power
LED

Amber Trouble,or
Initiating Alarm LED

Tamper Resist Feature

Test / Reset

Alarm Manual

5 6 7432

Wires on the A.C.Quick-Connector Alarm Harness:

Black Connected to hot side of A.C. line.
White Connected to neutral side of A.C. line.
Red Connected to interconnect lines (red wires)

of other units in a multiple-station set-up.

Interconnecting

This CO Alarm is interconnectable with other multiple­station Kidde products (refer to list on page 3). It is not
designed to be interconnected with any other
manufacturer’s products.

• When compatible Kidde smoke alarms and heat alarms
are interconnected to your CO alarm, they will only
respond to a smoke or heat related event.

• When mixing Kidde alarms which have battery back-up
with models without battery back-up, be advised that
the models without battery back-up will not function
during an A.C. power failure.

• For alarms that are being used as single station alarms,
do not connect the red wire to anything. Leave the red
wire insulating cap in place to make certain that the red
wire cannot contact any metal parts or the electrical box.

• All interconnectable alarms should be installed on a CSA
Listed or recognized junction box. All connections
should be made by a qualified electrician and must
conform to article 760 of the US National Electrical
Code, NFPA 72 and/or Canadian Electrical Code having
jurisdiction in your area.

• The appropriate power source is 120 Volt AC Single­Phase supplied from a non-switchable circuit, which is
not protected by a ground fault interrupter.

• When alarms are interconnected, all interconnected units
must be powered from a single circuit.

• A maximum of 24 Kidde devices may be interconnected
in a multiple-station arrangement. The interconnect
system should not exceed the NFPA interconnect limit of
12 smoke alarms and/or 18 alarms total (smoke, CO,
smoke/CO combination, heat, etc.)

Locations To Avoid

To avoid causing damage to the unit, to provide optimum
performance, and to prevent unnecessary nuisance alarms:

• Do not install in kitchens, garages or furnace rooms that
may expose the sensor to substances that could damage
or contaminate it.

• Do not install in areas where the temperature is colder
than 4.4°C (40°F) or hotter than 37.8°C (100°F) such as
crawl spaces, attics, porches and garages.

• Do not install within 5’ of heating or cooking
appliances. (Kidde recommends 15 feet to prevent
nuisance alarms)

• Do not install near vents, flues, chimneys or any
forced/unforced air ventilation openings.

• Do not install near ceiling fans, doors, windows or areas
directly exposed to the weather.

• Do not install in dead air spaces, such as peaks of
vaulted ceilings or gabled roofs, where carbon
monoxide may not reach the sensor in time to provide
early warning.

• Do not install on a switched or dimmer-controlled
outlet.

• Do not install this unit near deep cell large batteries.
Large batteries have emissions that can cause the alarm
to perform at less than optimum performance.

• Do not obstruct the vents located on the alarm. Do not
place the alarm where drapes, furniture or other objects
block the flow of air to the vents.

This Kidde CO alarm can be used independently or inter­connected with other Kidde alarms. The alarms should be
mounted in or near bedrooms and living areas. It is
recommended that you install a Kidde CO alarm on each
level of your home.

When choosing your installation locations, make sure you
can hear the alarm from all sleeping areas. If you install
only one carbon monoxide alarm in your home, install the
alarm near bedrooms, not in the basement or furnace room.

Recommended Installation Locations

CAUTION: This alarm will only indicate the presence of carbon
monoxide at the sensor. Carbon monoxide may be present in
other areas.

WARNING: This product is intended for use in ordinary indoor
residentual areas. It is not designed to measure compliance with
commercial and industrial standards.

This device is designed to protect individuals from acute effects
of carbon monoxide exposure. It will not fully safeguard
individuals with specific medical conditions. If in doubt, consult
a medical practitioner. Individuals with medical problems may
consider using warning devices, which provide audible and visual
signals for carbon monoxide concentrations under 30 ppm. This
alarm has not been investigated for carbon monoxide detection
below 70 ppm.

IMPORTANT : Improper location can affect the sensitive
electronic components in this alarm. The installation of this
device should not be used as a substitute for proper installation,
use and maintanence of fuel-burning appliances, including
appropriate ventilation and exhaust systems. Please see the next
section describing locations to avoid.

Power:

120 volts AC, 60 Hz, 60 mA max,
Optional 9 volt battery back-up

Sensor:

Electrochemical

Temperature:

Operating Range: 4.4°C (40°F) to 37.8°C (100°F)

Humidity:

Operating range: 5-95% non-condensing

Alarm:

85+ dB at 10’ @ 3.4±0.5 KHz pulsing alarm

Interconnection:

Multiple-Station Interconnects directly with Kidde:
Ionization smoke alarm models:

1235, 1235CA, 1275, 1275CA, 1285, 1285CA
Photoelectric smoke alarm models:

PE120, PE120CA, PI2000, PI2000CA
Carbon monoxide alarm models:

KN-COB-IC-CA, KN-COB-ICB-CA, KN-COP-IC-CA
Combination Carbon monoxide / Ion smoke alarm models:

KN-COSM-IB, KN-COSM-IBCA
Heat alarm models:

HD135F, HD135FCA
Strobe light model:

SL177I
Relay models:

CO120X, SM120X

120 V A.C.

C

ARBON

M

ONOXIDE ALARM

with Interconnect

Illustration

Specifications Installation

Installation Installation

With 18 alarms interconnected, it is still possible to
interconnect up to a total of 6 remote signaling devices
and/or relay modules.

• The maximum wire run distance between the first and
last unit in an interconnected system is 305 m (1000’).

• Make certain alarms are wired to a continuous, (non­switched) power line. NOTE: Use standard CSA Listed
household wire (18 gauge or larger as required by local
codes) available at all electrical supply stores and most
hardware stores.

Wiring

Figure 1 illustrates interconnection wiring. Improper
connection will result in damage to the alarm, failure to
operate, or a shock hazard.

CAUTION! Turn off the main power to the circuit before
wiring the alarm.

Installation

INTERCONNECT WIRING

FIGURE 1

3

Model KN-COB-IC-CA with 9V battery back-up
Model KN-COB-ICB-CA no battery back-up

Manual P/N 810-1892 Rev. D
0000-0000-00

SINGLE AND/OR MULTIPLE STATION

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM

This alarm meets

CSA 6.19-01

Standard for Residential

Carbon Monoxide Alarming Devices.

DINING KITCHEN BEDROOM BEDROOM

LIVING ROOM BEDROOM

FUSE OR CIRCUIT BREAKER

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8 12 13 1411109

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Indicator

When the CO alarm senses a dangerous level of CO, the
unit will emit a loud alarm beeping pattern. The alarm
pattern is 4 short beeps followed by 5 seconds of silence.
This cycle repeats as long as a dangerous CO conditions
exist. The red LED (Alarm) will flash the same pattern.

If this unit is interconnected with other Kidde CO alarms,
the amber LED (Initiating Alarm) of the unit which first
detected the CO, will light and remain on until reset. The
other interconnected CO alarms will also alarm to warn
you that CO was detected.

WARNING: For alarms equipped with 9V battery back-up:
When powered by battery backup only, after four minutes,
the alarm will sound and flash only once every minute, to
conserve battery life.

Fire Alarm Indicator

When an interconnected Kidde smoke alarm detects
smoke, this CO alarm unit will sound a smoke/fire alarm
pattern of continuous beeps for four (4) seconds, followed
by 1 second of silence. This cycle repeats as long as
smoke signal persists to alert you of the condition. If this
happens, leave the premises immediately by your escape
plan and call your local fire department.

WARNING: This unit is not a smoke alarm and will not
detect smoke or fire. It will only alarm for smoke/fire if it
receives a signal from an interconnected Kidde smoke
alarm.

Note: A smoke/fire alarm will override a CO alarm
condition.

Seven (7) years after initial power up, this unit will “chirp”
every 30 seconds to indicate that it is time to replace the
alarm. After seven years the device may no longer detect
carbon monoxide accurately and should be replaced
immediately. To help identify the date to replace the unit,
a label has been affixed to the side of the alarm. Write
the “Replace by” date (7 years from power up) in
permanent marker on the label.

Your new Kidde carbon monoxide alarm is a sophisticated
electronic device – yet very simple to understand. The
green “Power” LED will illuminate to identify the unit is
monitoring for carbon monoxide. If it senses dangerous
levels of carbon monoxide, the red “Alarm” LED will flash
accompanied with an audible alarm pattern. (See page 12
for description of alarm patterns).

However, if interconnected to other Kidde alarms, or if the
backup battery is low or missing, or if the unit
malfunctions, it will display other readings (and alarm
differently) to alert you of specific conditions. Please
familiarize yourself, and other family members, to the
difference between a CO alarm and an alarm signifying a
problem with the unit itself.

The table on Page 12 illustrates what the audible alarm
patterns are, and what the recommended actions are.

•Turn on the A.C. power. The green A.C. Power On Indicator
should be lit when the alarm is operating from A.C. power.

• For alarms equipped with 9V battery back-up: Pull the Battery
Pull Tab (yellow tab protruding from unit) completely out of
unit. This will automatically connect the battery.

Tamper Resist Feature

To make this CO alarm somewhat tamper resistant, a tamper
resist feature has been provided. Activate the feature by breaking
off the four posts in the square holes in the mount-ing plate (see
Figure 3A). When the posts are broken off, the tamper resist tab
on the base is allowed to engage the mount-ing plate. Rotate the
alarm onto the mounting plate until you hear the tamper resist
tab snap into place, locking the alarm.

Using the tamper resist feature will deter children and others from
removing the alarm. To remove the alarm, press on the tamper
resist tab, and rotate the alarm off of the mounting plate (see
Figure 3B).

Mounting

• Remove the mounting plate from the back of the alarm
by holding the mounting plate and twisting the alarm in
the direction indicated by the “OFF” arrow on the alarm
cover.

• After selecting the proper location for your CO Alarm, as
described on page 4 and wiring the A.C. Quick­Connector harness as described in Wiring, attach the
mounting plate to the electrical box. To ensure aesthetic
alignment of the alarm with the hallway, or wall, the “A”
line on the mounting plate must be parallel with the
hallway when ceiling mounted or horizontal when wall
mounted.

• Pull the A.C. Quick-Connector through the center hole
in the mounting plate and secure the bracket, making
sure that the mounting screws are positioned in the
small ends of the keyholes before tightening.

• Plug the A.C. Quick-Connector into the back of the
alarm (see Figure 2), making sure that the locks on the
connector snap into the unit. Push the excess wire
back into the electrical box through the hole in the
center of the mounting plate.

•Install the alar m on the mounting plate and twist the
alarm in the direction of the “ON” arrow on the cover
until the alarm ratchets into place (this ratcheting function
allows for aesthetic alignment). Note: The alarm will
mount to the bracket in 4 positions (every 90 degrees).

Installation

FIGURE 2

ATTACHING THE A.C. QUICK-CONNECTOR

Installation

FIGURE 3A

FIGURE 3B

A

Location
of Posts

A

TAMPER RESIST FEATURE

Operation Operation

Function LED Display Alarm Sound Unit Status Recommendation

Operation

Normal
operation

Green LED constantly on None Normal AC operation

(sensing no CO) and
with a good battery

None

Normal
operation

Green LED flashes every
7 seconds

None Normal DC operation

on 9V battery backup

Verify AC power is
restored as soon as
possible to conserve
battery. Replace battery

Carbon
monoxide
alarm

Red LED flashes with
beeps. Amber LED shows
initiating alarm

4 quick beeps,
5 seconds silence,
repeating

Alarm condition.
Dangerous
concentrations of CO
detected

Refer to alarm
procedure on
Page 17

Smoke / fire
alarm

Red LED flashes with
beeps.

continuous beeps
for four (4) seconds,
followed by 1 second
of silence, repeated.

Receiving signal from
an interconnected
smoke alarm detecting
smoke

Evacuate by your
escape plan

Red LED flashes every
15 seconds

One short “chirp”
every 15 seconds

AC powered and low or
missing battery

Install or replace 9V
battery. Refer to
Page 14

Red LED flashes every
30 seconds

One short “chirp”
every 30 seconds

Unit malfunction Call Kidde

Customer Service

Low battery

Error / service
alarm

To test the alarm, press the Test/Reset button. If the unit is
operating properly, you should hear 4 quick beeps – followed
by 5 seconds of silence – followed by 4 quick beeps. The red
LED will flash along with the beeps and the amber LED will
illuminate. Within several seconds the unit will return to
monitor for carbon monoxide.

If interconnected to Kidde smoke alarms, pressing the
Test/Reset button on the CO alarm will have no effect on
the smoke alarms. The smoke alarms will not be tested
and will not alarm. However, when pressing the Test
button on an interconnected smoke alarm, the CO alarm
will emit a Smoke/Fire audible and visual alarm pattern of
continuous beeps for four (4) seconds, followed by 1
second of silence, repeated.

Note: You do not need to press the Test button to take a
CO reading.

Testing Battery Replacement

For alarms equipped with a 9V battery back-up, the
9 volt battery is to supply short-term backup during
a power outage.

When replacing the battery, use one of the following
approved brands:

Duracell MN1604 or MX1604
Energizer 522
Gold Peak 1604A

These batteries can be purchased where you bought the
alarm or at a local hardware store. Use of a different
battery may have a detrimental effect on the alarm
operation.

The 9 volt battery is not rechargeable. If the 9 volt
battery is missing, disconnected, or if the battery’s power
is low, a red LED flash will occur once every 15 seconds,
accompanied by an audible beep. If this happens, the
battery must be replaced.

IMPORTANT: Constant exposures to high or low
humidity may reduce battery life. A good safety measure
is to replace the battery at least once a year, or at the
same time as you change your clocks for daylight saving
time.

WARNING: If at any time you test the alarm and it does not perform as described, have it replaced immediately.
NOTE: Reference to battery back-up operation is only applicable to units that are equipped with battery back-up option.

Red LED constantly on Constant alarm Very low battery or unit

malfunction. Unit will
not respond to CO

Replace 9V battery. If
condition continues,
call Kidde Customer
Service

Red LED flashes with
beeps. Green and amber
LED’s on

4 quick beeps,
5 seconds silence,
repeated once

Normal operation
when Test/Reset button
is pressed

CO not detected.
Alarm for test
purposes only

Error

Normal
Test/Reset
function