Rewiring a Hardwired Smoke Detector WITH THE POWER ON

gobofraggle · 2008-04-01T22:32:00+00:00

I have a hardwired smoke detector that is old and outdated, that I'dlike to switch with a new unit. The only problem is that I can'tshutoff the power to the alarm before I disconnect it and reconnect thenew one. I'm going to have to do the take-down and installationwhilethe power is LIVE.I live in a high-rise apartment building and the smoke detector ispowered not by my unit's individual power, but off of a line broughtin from a common hallway. There is no way to cut power to the smokedetector without cutting power to all the lights in the commonhallway, which is impossible.So, how can I safely (or as safely as possible) change this detectorwith a new one? If I don't touch certain wires together, will I beOK? What are the chances I would get shocked?I know your first inclination will be to tell me to get the circuitturned off or call an electrician, but please (at leasthypothetically) assume that neither of those options are possible.