American Sensor 770LBX Leaflet

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NOTE: Maximum interconnect wiring length is 150’.
Interconnect units within a single family residence only. Otherwise all 

households will experience unwanted alarms when you test any unit in the 

series. Interconnected units will only work if they are wired to compatible 

units and all requirements are met. The wiring shall be in accordance with 

the provision of Articles 210 and 3003 (B) of the National Electrical Code, 

ANSI/NFPA 70. The resistance of the interconnecting wiring shall be a 

maximum of 10 ohms. This unit is designed to be compatible with Model 

770LBX in US applications. See www.brkelectronics.com for most current 

interconnect list.

  Operation: How To Test
  Testing After Installation
1. Check to see that the green “POWER ON” light is on. The “POWER ON”  

  light is visible behind the slotted case and confirms that the smoke alarm  

  is receiving AC power.
2. Press and hold the test button until the alarm sounds. NOTE: It may  

  be necessary to press the test button for up to 20 seconds for an alarm  

  to sound. An alarm is indicated by a loud pulsating sound, 3 beeps/4sec.  

    Alarm my continue to sound for up to 10 seconds after button is released.
3. At least once a week, press the test button and hold until the alarm  

  sounds, then release.
  NOTE: Multiple Station Only:
4. Test each alarm separately in the system.
5. Determine that the initiating alarm triggers other alarms in the system.  

  NOTE: Red LED will flash once per second on initiating alarm and  

BATTERY REPLACEMENT
Batteries should be replaced annually! The Gold Peak 1604A/S/P, 

Eveready X22, 522, 1222, Duracell MN1604/MX1604 and Ultralife U9VL-J 

are the only acceptable batteries for use in these smoke alarms. When the 

battery reaches the end of its normal life, a low battery warning (a single 

beep every 45 seconds) will sound for up to 30 days to indicate the need 

for battery replacement. When replacing the battery ensure that the posi-

tive and negative terminals on the battery snap positively into the matching 

terminals in the smoke alarm.
TEST THE ALARM WEEKLY. VACUUM EVERY SIX MONTHS
Your Smoke Alarm should be cleaned every six months to help keep it 

working efficiently. REMOVE POWER TO THE ALARM. Gently vacuum 

through the vents of the alarm with a soft brush attachment. Keep vacuum 

nozzle from touching the unit.
RE-ESTABLISH POWER TO THE ALARM.
PROBLEMS MAY BE INDICATED BY THE FOLLOWING:
•  The alarm does not sound upon pressing the test button.
•  The alarm does not sound with the smoke test.
•  The green operating light does not re-mail steadily when unit is AC pow-

ered. 

•  The red operating light remains steadily on or off. (i.e. does not flash once 

every 45 seconds, when the unit is not in alarm.)

TRY THE FOLLOWING:
•  Inspect breaker or fuse in power circuit to alarm.
•  Gently vacuum as recommended above.
•  Call an electrician to inspect house wiring and connection to alarms.
If these procedures do not correct the problem, do NOT attempt repairs. If 

the smoke alarm is within warranty period and terms, indicate the nature 

of the problem and return the unit with proof of purchase. See below for 

instructions. Units beyond warranty cannot be economically repaired.

Abnormal air conditions may cause the highly sensitive smoke alarm to give 

a “false” alarm. If no fire is apparent, activate the alarm silencer feature and 

ventilate the room and/or blow fresh air into the unit until the alarm stops. 

Once cleared, the smoke alarm will automatically reset.
DO NOT DISCONNECT THE AC POWER SUPPLY.
Dust can lead to excess sensitivity. Vacuum as recommended above.

Your American Sensors smoke alarm is warranted for ten years from date 

of purchase against defects in material and workmanship. BRK Brands, 

Inc., (“BRK”) the distributor of American Sensors in the United States, at its 

option, will repair or replace this product or any component of the product 

found to be defective during the warranty period. Replacement will be made 

with a new or remanufactured product or component. If the product is no 

longer available, replacement may be made with a similar product of equal or 

greater value. This is your exclusive warranty.
This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of initial 

retail purchase and is not transferable. Keep the original sales receipt. Proof 

of purchase is required to obtain warranty performance. BRK dealers, service 

centers, or retail stores selling BRK products do not have the right to alter, 

modify or any way change the terms and conditions of this warranty.
This warranty does not cover normal wear of parts or damage resulting from 

any of the following: negligent use or misuse of the product, use on improper 

voltage or current, use contrary to the operating instructions, disassembly, 

repair or alteration by anyone other than BRK or an authorized service cen-

ter. Further, the warranty does not cover Acts of God, such as fire, flood, hur-

ricanes and tornadoes or any batteries that are included with this unit.
BRK shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages caused 

by the breach of any express or implied warranty. Except to the extent prohib-

ited by applicable law, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a 

particular purpose is limited in duration to the duration of the above warranty. 

Some states, provinces or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation 

of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied 

warranty lasts, so the above limitations or exclusion may not apply to you. 

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other
rights that vary from state to state or province to province.

Service: If service is required, do not return the product to your retailer. 

In order to obtain warranty service, contact the Consumer Affairs Division 

at 1-800-323-9005, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Central Standard Time, Monday 

through Friday. To assist us in serving you, please have the model num-

ber and date of purchase available when calling.
Battery: BRK Brands, Inc. make no warranty, express or implied, written or 

oral, including that of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose with 

respect to battery.

BRK Brands, Inc., 25 Spur Drive, El Paso, TX 79906        

Model 770LBX: Hardwired Photoelectric and Ionization Smoke Alarm with 

battery back-up.

•  Install alarms outside of every bedroom area and on every floor of your 

home. Please refer to Section 3 “Where to Locate Smoke Alarms” for 

details.

•  Test the alarm weekly by pressing and holding the test button for up to 20 

seconds until the alarm sounds.

•  The model described in this manual is designed for single family resi-

dences, including homes and apartments rather than commercial or 

industrial use.

• Detachable Base Plate with Locking Pin: Locking pin prevents unauthor 

 ized tampering.
• Sensitivity Test Button: With interconnected units, pressing the test button  

  on one causes all others to activate.
• Operating Lights (LED): A continuous green light indicates the alarm is  

  receiving 120 V AC power. Red LED flashes every 45 seconds to confirm  

  that the circuitry is operational.
• Push-in Power Connector: For fast and simple installation and 

 maintenance.
• Interconnection: Allows interconnection of up to 18 alarms (maximum 12  

  smoke alarms and 6 carbon monoxide alarms). When one alarm sounds,  

  all properly interconnected alarms follow.
• Alarm Source Indicator: Red operating light will flash approximately every  

  second in unit originating alarm. Red LEDs on other units flash approxi 

  mately every 45 seconds.
• 9 V Battery Back-up: 9 V battery back-up unit cannot be installed onto  

  baseplate without battery. Battery door can be locked shut with screw  

 provided. 

1. CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE ALARMS 
2. SAFETY TIPS
3. WHERE TO LOCATE SMOKE ALARMS 
4. NFPA RECOMMENDATIONS
5. LOCATIONS TO AVOID
6. INSTALLATION AND TESTING
7. MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING
8. LIMITED WARRANTY

Early warning can mean the difference between a safe escape and no 

escape at all. While smoke alarms can provide invaluable protection for you 

and your family, they do have limitations.
•  Smoke alarms cannot work without power. Battery operated alarms 

will not work without proper batteries, with dead batteries or if batteries are 

not properly installed. AC powered alarms will not work if their AC power 

supply is cut off by an electrical fire, an open fuse, a circuit breaker or any 

other reason.

If you are concerned about the reliability of either batteries or your AC 

power supply for any of the above reasons, you should install in your 

home both AC and battery powered smoke alarms for added security. 

•  Smoke alarms are incapable of sounding the alarm until smoke 

reaches the sensing chamber. Anything preventing smoke from reaching 

the alarm may delay or prevent an alarm. A smoke alarm cannot detect 

fire in the walls, chimney or roof unless and until a significant amount of 

smoke reaches the alarm. A closed door may prevent smoke from reach-

ing an alarm on the other side of the door. A smoke alarm may not sense 

a fire on another floor of a home. For example, a basement smoke alarm 

may not detect a fire, which started on the first or second floor. 

•  Smoke alarms may not be heard. The loudness of the horn in your 

alarm meets current standards. However, distance, closed doors, or ambi-

ent noise such as traffic or a stereo may block the sound. Persons who 

are hard of hearing may not hear smoke alarms.

Research has shown that some heavy sleepers and especially children 

(including those who otherwise have normal hearing) are not awakened 

by smoke alarms. For such people, an auxiliary signaling appliance is 

recommended.

Current studies have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping 

individuals. It is the responsibility of individuals in the household that are 

capable of assisting others to provide assistance to those who may not be 

awakened by the alarm sound, or to those who may be incapable of safely 

evacuating the area unassisted.
For these reasons, a smoke alarm should be installed in every room 

or at least on every level of your home. American Sensors recommends 

that hardwire AC powered smoke alarms be interconnected, so that one 

alarm will trigger all other alarms to sound their alarms.
•  Smoke alarms are not foolproof. Smoke alarms may not always sense 

every kind of fire. They cannot be expected to sense fires caused by 

carelessness or by safety hazards. They may not give early warning of fast 

growing fires caused by smoking in bed, violent explosions, escaping gas, 

improper storage of flammable materials, overloaded electrical circuits, 

natural causes such as lightning, children playing with matches, or arson.

•  Smoke alarms are not substitutes for property, disability, life or other 

insurance of any kind. Homeowners and renters should continue to 

insure their lives and property. Consult your insurance agent.

•  Smoke alarms have limited lives. One or more of the many components 

could fail at any time. Therefore, test your smoke alarm weekly. Clean 

and take care of it as described in this manual. Repair or replace the 

smoke alarm when it fails to test properly. Your smoke alarm should be 

  

Your model 770LBX is a 2 in 1 smoke alarm utilizing both photoelectric and 

ionization smoke sensing technologies.

Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are an essential part of a 

good home fire safety program. Your fire safety program should also include 

a review of fire hazards and the elimination of dangerous conditions when-

ever possible. Consider the following tips:
•  Use smoking materials properly. Never smoke in bed.
•  Keep matches and cigarette lighters away from children.
•  Store flammable materials in proper containers. Never use them near an 

open flame or sparks.

•  Keep electrical appliances in good condition. Do not overload electrical 

circuits.

•  Keep stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and barbecue grills grease-free. Make 

sure they are properly installed and away from any combustible materials.

•  Keep portable heaters and open flames such as candles away from com-

bustible material.

•  Do not allow rubbish to accumulate.
•  Keep a supply of extra batteries on hand for your battery powered smoke 

alarms.

•  Do not stand too close to the alarm when the unit is in alarm as the loud 

horn could damage your hearing.

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!

 

WARNING: Never disconnect the battery or the AC power on 

any type of smoke alarm to silence a nuisance alarm. Clear the area of 
smoke by opening doors and windows or fanning the smoke away. 

•  Ensure all family members are familiarized with the alarm signal.
•  Prepare an escape plan. Draw a floor plan of your home and determine 

two exits from each room. There should be a way to get out of each bed-

room without opening the door.

•  Have fire drills often. Practice your Escape and BE PREPARED.
•  Decide on a meeting place at a safe distance from your home.

•  Don’t waste time collecting possessions after a fire starts.
•  Alert all occupants and leave the building. Your most valuable possession 

is your life.

•  Doors can mean escape or death. Never open doors without first checking 

for heat. Test them with your hands, if they feel warm, fire may be walled 

up behind them; leave closed and find another escape route.

•  Call the fire department from OUTSIDE the building.
•  If trapped inside, stay close to the floor, cover mouth with cloth, conserve 

breaths as you crawl to safety.

•  Keep all doors and windows closed except for escape purposes.
•  NEVER re-enter a burning building.
•  Keep your family in a pre-arranged meeting place after your escape.
Your local fire department may be able to offer you additional ideas for 

safety and escape plans in the home.

Installing Smoke Alarms in Single-Family Residences
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), recommends one Smoke 

Alarm on every floor, in every sleeping area, and in every bedroom. In new 

construction, the Smoke Alarms must be AC powered and interconnected. 

See “Agency Placement Recommendations” for
details. For additional coverage, it is recommended that you install a Smoke 

Alarm in all rooms, halls, storage areas, finished attics, and basements, 

where temperatures normally remain between 40° F (4° C) and 100° F (38° 

C). Make sure no door or other obstruction could keep smoke from reaching 

the Smoke Alarms.
More specifically, install Smoke Alarms:
• On every level of your home, including finished attics and basements.
• Inside every bedroom, especially if people sleep with the door partly
  or completely closed.
• In the hall near every sleeping area. If your home has multiple sleeping
  areas, install a unit in each. If a hall is more than 40 feet (12 meters) long,  

  install a unit at each end.
• At the top of the first-to-second floor stairway, and at the bottom of the
 basement stairway.

Specific requirements for Smoke Alarm installation vary from state to state 

and from region to region. Check with your local Fire Department for current 

requirements in your area. It is recommended AC or AC/DC units be inter-

connected for added protection.
READ “CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE ALARMS” in 

Section 1 of this manual.
Your local fire department or insurance company may be able to give you 

further advice on the best smoke alarm locations in your home. Call them 

and ask.

For minimum security install one Smoke Alarm as close to each sleep-

ing area as possible. For more security, put one unit in each room. Many 

older mobile homes (especially those built before 1978) have little or no 

insulation. If your mobile home is not well insulated, or if you are unsure of 

the amount of insulation, it is important to install units on inside walls only. 

Smoke Alarms should be installed where temperatures normally remain 

between 40° F (4° C) and 100° F (38° C). WARNING: Test units used 

in RVs after the vehicle has been in storage, before every trip, and once 

a week while in use. Failure to test units used in RVs as described may 

remove your protection.

For your information, the National Fire Protection Association’s Standard 72 

reads as follows:
11.5.1    One- and Two-Family Dwelling Units.
11.5.1.1  Smoke Detection. Where required by applicable laws, codes, or 

standards for the specified occupancy, approved single- and multiple-

station smoke alarms shall be installed as follows: (1) In all sleeping 

rooms Exception: Smoke alarms shall not be required in sleeping 

rooms in existing one- and two-family dwelling units. (2) Outside of 

each separate sleeping areas, in immediate vicinity of the sleeping 

rooms. (3) On each level of the dwelling unit, including basements 

Exception: In existing one- and two-family dwelling units, approved 

smoke alarms powered by batteries are permitted.

A-11.8.3  Are More Smoke Alarms Desirable? The required number of smoke 

alarms might not provide reliable early warning protection for those 

areas separated by a door from the areas protected by the required 

smoke detectors. For this reason, it is recommended that the house-

There are two different types of smoke alarm technology currently in general 

use: ionization and photoelectric. While both types of tech nology are suitable 

for general residential use, an ionization alarm will normally respond faster 

to fast flaming fires, while a photo electric alarm may be more sensitive to 

detecting slow smoldering fires. Because home fires develop in different 

ways and are often unpredictable in their growth, it is impossible to predict 

which type of alarm will provide the earliest warning. For best home protec-

tion install at least one photo electric and one ionization smoke alarm on each 

level of your home. 

holder consider the use of additional smoke detectors for those areas 

for increased protection. The additional areas include the basement, 

bedrooms, dining room, furnace room, utility room, and hallways not 

protected by the required smoke detectors. The installation of smoke 

detectors in kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished), or garages is not 

normally recommended, as these locations occasionally experience 

conditions that can result in improper operation.

vide early warning, or where the alarm may not be effective.
DO NOT PLACE SMOKE ALARMS:
•  In turbulent air from fans, doors, windows, etc. The rapid air movement 

may prevent combustion particles from entering the alarm.

•  In dead air spaces such as at the peak of an “A” frame ceiling. “Dead air” 

at the top may prevent smoke from reaching the alarm in time to provide 

early warning. In rooms with simple sloped, peaked or gabled ceilings, 

install smoke alarms on the ceiling 3’ (90 cm) from the highest point of the 

ceiling. 

Note: For complex ceiling structures, consult a safety expert for the num-

ber of alarms required and the best locations.

•  In very hot or cold areas where the temperature exceeds 100

o

F (37.8

o

C) 

or falls below 40

o

F (4.4

o

C).

•  Less than 6” (15 cm) from the wall when mounted on the ceiling.
Nuisance alarms could result when smoke alarms are located where inter-

ference may occur with the sensing chamber. To avoid nuisance alarms, 

DO NOT place smoke alarms:
•  In high humidity areas such as bathrooms and attics. Place smoke 

alarms at least 10’ (3 m) away from bathrooms.

•  In insect-infested areas.
•  In poorly ventilated kitchens or garages.
•  In very dusty and dirty areas.
•  Near fluorescent lights. Place smoke alarms at least 5’ (1.5 m) from 

fluorescent lights.

This smoke alarm is suitable for residential use. It is not 

to be connected to a commercial or industrial fire alarm panel.

If securing the alarm is a concern, remove and save the “Locking Key” from 

the back plate with needle nosed pliers before installing the alarm. See 

point 13 in this section for more details on this feature.
THIS EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 

THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION’S STANDARD 

72 (National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Part, Quincy: MA 

02269).

Mount to any standard or rectangular junction box with a minimum depth of 

1” (2.5 cm).
Without Relay - 120 VAC, 60Hz, 50mA operation
With Relay - 120 VAC, 60Hz, 105mA operation
WARNING: Wiring should only be installed by a licensed electrician in 

accordance with the National Electrical Code and local code.
WARNING: The circuit used to power the smoke alarm must be a 24-hour 

voltage circuit that cannot be turned off by a switch or a ground-fault inter-

rupter. It is highly recommended that smoke alarms be wired on a separate 

circuit (one with no other lights or appliances) to ensure maximum reliability 

of AC power supply. For installation of smoke alarms in Dwelling Units, it is 

important to follow the National Electrical Code and local code.
1.  Electricity must be turned off at service entrance before beginning instal-

lation to prevent electrical shock or equipment damage.

2.  Location must comply with applicable building codes.
3.  Install a junction box where you plan to install the alarm. Use standard 

14-gauge wire.

4.  Connect black wire to black wire and white wire to white wire from power 

connector to AC power leads.

5. For multiple station application, use the orange wire to  

 

interconnect. If unit is not to be interconnected, cap unused wire. NOTE: 

This alarm is interconnectable  up to 11 other identical smoke alarms 

and 6 carbon monoxide alarms.

6. Loosen or remove screws from junction box.

7. Attach flat side of mounting plate and tighten screws to fit    

snugly against the junction box and ceiling or wall.

8. Bring power connector through center opening.
9. Slip the paper gasket supplied with the alarm over the power  connector 

and then onto the mounting plate so that the four plastic tabs on the 

mounting plate will hold the gasket in place. The gasket will prevent 

downward air currents from entering the smoke alarm. Air currents could 

prevent smoke from entering the alarm.

10. On battery back-up (LBX) models, open battery compartment door, con-

nect and insert battery and close compartment door. To prevent tamper-

ing install the screw, which is provided, to secure the compartment door. 

Test unit using test button.

11. Plug wire connector into the back of the alarm.
12. Align the plug area on the smoke alarm with the cut-out in the gasket 

and place the smoke alarm on the mounting plate, turn clockwise to 

fasten it out the mounting plate.

13. If auxiliary lock is desired, insert the locking key into the slot in the base 

of the alarm - locking key should “click” into position and be flush with the 

alarm housing. 

CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove alarm without first removing the lock-

ing key. If the key is not removed first, damage may result. To remove use 

a screwdriver and gently pry the locking key loose.

14. 

Test alarm operation after installation in accordance with    

  “Operation: How to Test” instructions.

2502-A0122

IMPORTANT: This alarm cannot be used with detector guards.

W

ITH

OU

T A

CHA

RGED, PROPERLY IN

STA

LLE

LOCKING

KEY

To Use Optional Locking Key: 

Remove from mounting plate with needle nose pliers and insert in housing.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE. This manual contains important 

information. A copy of this manual must be left with the end user.