Contents
- 1 Meet your Nest Protect
- 1.1 Requirements
- 1.2 Inside the box you'll find
- 2 Parts description
- 3 Setup and installation (Professional installation recommended)
- 3.1 Get the Nest app
- 3.2 Set up Nest Protect
- 3.3 Have more Nest Protects?
- 3.4 Test before you install
- 3.5 Turn off power
- 3.6 Remove your old smoke alarm
- 3.7 Remove the old backplate
- 3.8 Location in your home
- 3.9 Remove the old connector
- 3.10 Attach the Nest connector
- 3.11 Placement on the ceiling or wall
- 3.12 Placement on a sloped ceiling
- 3.13 Install the new backplate
- 3.14 Connect power
- 3.15 Install your Nest Protect
- 3.16 Switch power back on or replace the fuse
- 3.17 Press to test
- 4 Heads-Up and Emergency Alarms
- 4.1 Alerts
- 4.2 Silencing
- 4.3 Have more than one Nest Protect?
- 5 Daily Use and Emergency Preparation
- 5.1 Daily Use
- 5.1.1 Power
- 5.1.2 Nightly Promise
- 5.1.3 Pathlight
- 5.2 Emergency Preparation
- 5.2.1 Testing
- 5.2.2 Sound Check
- 5.1 Daily Use
- 6 General Maintenance
- 6.1 Cleaning your Nest Protect
- 6.2 Replacing the backup batteries
- 6.3 Servicing
- 6.4 Expiration
- 6.5 Recycling and Disposal
- 6.6 Resetting Nest Protect
- 7 Videos
- 7.1 Nest Protect (Wired 120V ~ 60Hz) Smoke Monoxide Alarm How to install Video
- 8 Documents / Resources
- 8.1 References
- 8.2 Download manual
Nest Protect (Wired 120V ~ 60Hz) Smoke Monoxide Alarm Manual
Meet your Nest Protect
Nest Protect is designed to detect smoke and carbon monoxide in a residential environment.
It has multiple sensors to help it understand what's happening in your home, including a Split-Spectrum Sensor to detect a wide range of slow-smoldering and fast-flaming fires.
This guide covers the installation of Nest Protect (Wired) - Model number 06C.
Requirements
You need Wi-Fi, an iOS or Android phone or tablet, and a free account in order to use some Nest Protect features: spoken room names, wireless mobile notifications, and software updates. During setup, Wi-Fi and a free account are required for wireless interconnect and room naming. After all the Nest Protects in your home are connected, they can communicate with each other without Wi-Fi.
Inside the box you'll find
Parts description
The horn enables Nest Protect to alert you with a loud emergency sound.
The speaker allows Nest Protect to speak with a human voice.
- Push the button to hush alarms or run a test.
- The light ring changes color to alert you.
- Micro-USB connector (not for normal use).
- AC connector pins for the 120V connector.
- Battery compartment: Three AA Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries (L91).
Setup and installation (Professional installation recommended)
The installation of a smoke and CO alarm should be made by a qualified technician, and all wiring used to install this alarm should be made in accordance with articles 210, and 300.3B of the National Electrical Code ANSI/ NFPA 70, NFPA 72, and/or applicable codes in your local jurisdiction.
Refer to the included Safety and Warranty document for regulatory information and additional precautions.
Get the Nest app
Before you install your Nest Protect on the ceiling or wall, you'll need to set it up with the Nest app. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and create a free account. You can use a phone or tablet for setup.
Set up Nest Protect
The Nest app will guide you through each step: scanning the Nest Protect QR code, connecting it to the internet, and connecting it to other Nest Protects in your home. Go to g.co/nest/installprotect to watch the video.
Tip: Lay everything out on a table for easy setup.
Have more Nest Protects?
The Nest app will ask if you have more Nest Protects to set up. If you do, it'll take you through a faster setup. Be sure to keep all your Nest Protects together until they're all set up and ready to be installed.
Tip: Your Nest Protect came packed in a plastic cover. Keep the cover on so your Nest Protect stays clean until you install it.
Test before you install
Once you're done setting up all of your Nest Protects, make sure they've been added to your account. Push the button on one Nest Protect and follow the instructions. All of your Nest Protects should speak up. Now you can install them on the ceiling or wall.
Tip: To double check Nest Protect's room name, press the button once. You'll hear the location you assigned it during setup. It'll say something like,
"Ready in the bedroom."
Turn off power
Protect yourself and avoid blowing a fuse. Switch off the correct circuit breaker for the room where you are installing Nest Protect or remove the fuse from the fuse box.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD
Failure to turn off the power may result in serious electrical shock, injury and death.
Remove your old smoke alarm
To prevent electrical shock, make sure the green Unscrew the backplate from the electrical box. Save power light is off on the alarm. You may have to twist the screws to install the Nest Protect backplate later. the alarm to release it. Carefully remove it to keep from damaging your ceiling or wall.
Tip: Your old smoke alarm might make a loud noise when you disconnect it.
Remove the old backplate
Unscrew the backplate from the electrical box. Save the screws to install the Nest Protect backplate later.
Location in your home
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends installing a smoke alarm in the following areas:
- On every floor, including finished attics and basem*nts.
- Inside and outside every sleeping area.
- At the top of the first- to second-floor stairway and on the basem*nt ceiling near the entry of the stairs.
- In homes with more than 1,000 square feet (93 m2 ) on one level, additional alarms may be required.
Nest Protect should be installed at least 10 feet (3 m) away from cooktops or cooking appliances. Nest Protect should NOT be installed in unfinished attics or garages.
Remove the old connector
Unscrew the wire connectors to detach the 120V connector from your old smoke alarm.
The exposed wire should be straight.
Attach the Nest connector
Hold the white wire ends together, cap them with a wire connector and twist clockwise until it's secure. Do the same with the black wires. There's no need for the red/orange/yellow wire. Simply cap it with a wire connector and twist until secure.
Placement on the ceiling or wall
Installing on the ceiling is recommended. Mark where the screws will go using the base as a guide. If you're installing on the wall, make sure it's within 12 inches of the ceiling.
Placement on a sloped ceiling
If you have a sloped, peaked or cathedral ceiling, Nest Protect should be 4 inches to 3 feet (10 cm – 1 m) from the highest point.
Install the new backplate
Screw the Nest Protect backplate to the electrical box, reusing the old screws. You can also screw the backplate directly into the wall or ceiling with the Nest Protect screws. Make sure the screws are all the way in and snug against the backplate.
Tip: All smoke alarms prefer to live in a dust free area, so remove any dust before you install Nest Protect.
Connect power
Plug the 120V connector into the back of your Nest Protect.
Install your Nest Protect
First, tuck any excess wiring into the electrical box.
Line up the three tabs on the back of your Nest Protect with the notches on the backplate. Hold Nest Protect against the backplate and turn it clockwise. Continue turning until it's square with the wall or ceiling. Install the rest of your Nest Protects if you have more.
Tip: If you ever need to remove it (for cleaning or battery replacement), turn off power to your Nest Protect at the breaker box or remove the fuse first. Then turn counterclockwise until it disconnects from the backplate.
Switch power back on or replace the fuse
Breaker box
Press to test
Press the button on one Nest Protect. It will tell you what to do next. Every Nest Protect in the house should speak up, confirming that they're connected to each other.
Heads-Up and Emergency Alarms
Alerts
When Nest Protect has something to say, it will speak to you in words and light up instead of just beeping. Nest Protect has two kinds of voice alerts: Heads-Up and Emergency Alarms.
When smoke or carbon monoxide levels are heightened but haven't yet reached Emergency Alarm levels, Nest Protect can sound a Heads-Up as an early warning. Nest Protect will pulse yellow and tell you where there's smoke or carbon monoxide.
You'll get an Emergency Alarm when smoke or carbon monoxide reach critical levels. Nest Protect will pulse red, sound a loud alarm, and tell you what room the emergency is in. If there's both smoke and CO present, the smoke alarm will take priority.
Silencing
Heads-Up alerts and some Emergency Alarms can be hushed by using the Nest app or pressing the button. In some cases, the smoke level may be too high for the Emergency Alarm to be hushed. Only silence an alarm once you have checked conditions at the Nest Protect that first sounded the alarm. Do not silence Nest Protect by disconnecting it from line voltage and removing the batteries. This will disable the alarm so it cannot sense smoke or carbon monoxide, leaving you at risk.
Because there are many different types of fires, you may experience an Emergency Alarm without having first experienced a Heads-Up alert. This means that critical levels of smoke or CO occurred extremely quickly and Nest Protect has to sound the Emergency Alarm.
Have more than one Nest Protect?
After all the Nest Protects in your home are connected to each other, if there's a Heads-Up or an Emergency Alarm in one room, they'll all tell you what the danger is and which room it's in.
If multiple Nest Protects are interconnected, a Heads-Up alert or Emergency Alarm can be silenced only at the Nest Protect that originally sounded the alert. You'll need to go to that room to silence all the Nest Protects in your home. Always check the conditions near the Nest Protect that first detected the smoke or carbon monoxide before silencing it.
What You Hear | What You See | What It Means | What To Do | |
Alerts | "HEADS-UP. THERE'S SMOKE IN THE [ROOM NAME]. THE ALARM MAY SOUND." | ![]() | Smoke levels are rising. | Put out the source of the smoke. Then use the Nest app or press the button to hush the alert. |
"HEADS-UP. THERE'S CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE [ROOM NAME]. THE ALARM MAY SOUND." | ![]() | Carbon monoxide levels have been high for a while. | Open a window or door to get fresh air. Then use the Nest app or press the button to hush the alert. | |
(Alarm horn) "EMERGENCY. THERE'S SMOKE IN [ROOM NAME]." | ![]() | The smoke in the room has reached critical levels. | Get out of the house immediately. | |
(Alarm horn) "EMERGENCY. THERE'S CARBON MONOXIDE IN [ROOM NAME]. MOVE TO FRESH AIR." | ![]() | The carbon monoxide in the room has reached critical levels. |
| |
Silencing | "SMOKE ALARM HUSHED." "CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM HUSHED." | ![]() | You've hushed an alert. Nest Protect will now keep quiet, unless smoke or carbon monoxide remains at critical levels. | Make sure you're safe and have put out the source of smoke or carbon monoxide. |
"THE ALARM IS OVER." | ![]() | Smoke or carbon monoxide levels are decreasing. | Make sure you're safe and have put out the source or smoke or carbon monoxide. |
Daily Use and Emergency Preparation
Daily Use
Power
Nest Protect (Wired 120V) has a small green light located at the top of the button. It will be on as long as Nest Protect is getting AC power from the electrical wires.
If there's a wiring problem or power outage, the green light will turn off and Nest Protect will switch to backup batteries. You'll also see a yellow (instead of green) Nightly Promise light when you turn off the lights for the night.
Nightly Promise
Nest Protect continuously tests itself, so you don't have to wonder if it's working. Nightly Promise reports on every Nest Protect in your home.
When you turn out the lights for the night, Nest Protect will glow green for a moment – that means everything is working. If it glows yellow, one of the Nest Protects in your home needs your attention. For instance, the batteries are low, Wi-Fi is down, or there's an issue with the sensors. Just push the button or use the Nest app to see what's wrong.
Pathlight
Usually Nest Protect has its light turned off, but it can light your way as you walk underneath it in the dark. You can enable or disable Pathlight and set its brightness with the Nest app.
Emergency Preparation
Testing
Perform a manual test of your wired Nest Protect at least weekly. During a test, all interconnected Nest Protects in your home check their sensors, power, Wi-Fi connection, light ring, emergency horn, speaker and microphone.
When you run a test, Nest Protect will give you a countdown before sounding the alarm so you have time to move away from the loud noise.
Test procedure:
- Start a test by pressing the button twice.
- Nest Protect will say: "This is only a test. The alarm will sound."
- Ensure that the alarm sounds and the light illuminates on each Nest Protect.
- Once the Nest Protect has made sure it's working, it'll tell you everything's okay. If you have interconnected Nest Protects, all of them should speak.
Sound Check
Nest Protect can automatically perform a monthly test to confirm that its speaker and horn are working properly. You can choose to enable this option during initial setup with the app, but you can change it at any time. For more information, visit g.co/nest/soundcheck
What You Hear | What You See | What It Means | What To Do | |
Daily use | ![]() | Nest Protect is working. The green light means AC power is connected. | Sleep well thanks to Nightly Promise. | |
![]() | Nest Protect has tested its sensors, power and Wi-Fi to confirm they are working correctly. | |||
![]() | Pathlight lights your way at night as you pass under it. | |||
Emergency Preparation | "READY. PRESS TO TEST." | ![]() | To set up or run a manual test. | Press the button. Nest Protect will walk you through next steps. |
- DO NOT stand close to the alarm when the horn is sounding. Exposure at close range may be harmful to your hearing. When testing, step away before the horn starts sounding.
- If the alarm ever fails to test correctly, have it replaced immediately! If the alarm is not working properly, it cannot alert you to a problem.
- DO NOT use a match, cigarette or any other makeshift fire to test the smoke alarm.
- To test the CO alarm, NEVER use vehicle exhaust! Exhaust may cause permanent damage and will void your warranty.
- NEVER use an open flame of any kind to test this alarm. You might accidentally damage or set fire to the unit or to your home.
General Maintenance
Cleaning your Nest Protect
Nest Protect has been designed to be as maintenance free as possible, but you should keep it clean. As with any smoke alarm, dust buildup on the outside or inside of Nest Protect can stop it from working properly.
To clean Nest Protect:
- Remove it from the wall or the ceiling (turn counterclockwise until it comes off the backplate).
- Wipe the outside with a clean, slightly damp cloth. Don't use any soaps or solvents.
- Place Nest Protect on a soft, dry cloth with the button facing down. Open the battery compartment door and remove the batteries. Remove the screws and lift off the back. Be careful to not lose the screws.
- Gently vacuum the inside. Make sure to clean all the way around the mesh sides of the smoke chamber (the large metal circle).
Note: Never use detergents or solvents (like glass cleaner) on your Nest Protect and do not spray air fresheners, hair spray or other aerosols near it. Do not get water inside the alarm or paint over it.
Replacing the backup batteries
In case of a power outage, Nest Protect will use three AA Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries (L91) for backup. These batteries can be purchased at your local retailer.
- Turn off power to Nest Protect at the breaker box (see p.9)
- Twist Nest Protect counterclockwise until it disconnects from the backplate.
- Detach the power connector from the back of Nest Protect and open the battery door.
- Replace the batteries. Align the + positive and - negative ends with the markings in the battery compartment.
- Close the battery compartment. Do not force the door closed.
- Reattach the power connector.
- Push Nest Protect onto the backplate and turn it clockwise until you feel it grip.
- Turn power to Nest Protect back on at the breaker box.
- Press the button twice.
Servicing
If your Nest Protect needs servicing, first contact our support team at g.co/nest/support to get a return number and shipping information.
General maintenance
What You Hear | What You See | What It Means | What To Do |
"THE SENSORS HAVE FAILED IN THE [ROOM NAME]. REPLACE NEST PROTECT NOW." Single chirp every 60 seconds. | ![]() | Nest Protect has tested its sensors and there is a problem. | Clean according to instructions on p. 20. If the problem persists, replace Nest Protect. |
"THE BATTERY IS LOW IN THE [ROOM NAME]. REPLACE THE BATTERY SOON." | ![]() | Low battery. | Change the batteries of Nest Protect soon. |
"THE BATTERY IS LOW IN THE [ROOM NAME]. REPLACE THE BATTERY NOW." Single chirp every 60 seconds. | ![]() | Low battery. | Change the batteries of Nest Protect now. |
"NEST PROTECT CAN'T SOUND THE ALARM IN THE [ROOM NAME]."Two chirps every 60 seconds. | ![]() | There's a problem with the horn of Nest Protect. | Replace Nest Protect now. |
"NEST PROTECT HAS EXPIRED. REPLACE IT NOW." Two chirps every 60 seconds. | ![]() | Nest Protect has expired and reached the end of its life. | Replace Nest Protect now. |
- Use only batteries specified by Google. Use of a different battery model will have a detrimental effect on the smoke alarm operation.
- Never remove the batteries to stop an unwanted alarm (caused by cooking smoke, etc.)
- Removing the batteries disables the alarm so it cannot sense smoke or carbon monoxide (CO). Instead open a window or fan the smoke away from the unit.
- The batteries cannot work until you install the batteries in the correct position (Match + to + and - to -).
- Once Nest Protect has expired you'll no longer be protected from smoke or CO if you don't replace it.
Expiration
Like any smoke and CO alarm, Nest Protect has a limited life. You will need to replace Nest Protect after 10 years with a brand new Nest Protect. You can check the date of replacement written on the back of Nest Protect to see when it will expire.
About two weeks before it expires, Nest Protect will light up with a yellow light. Press the button and it will say, "Nest Protect has expired. Replace it now." Buy a new alarm and recycle the expired one. Make sure you test your new Nest Protect once it's installed.
Recycling and Disposal
Once Nest Protect has expired you will need to recycle it according to local regulations. Please visit g.co/nest/recycle for more information.
Resetting Nest Protect
You can reset Nest Protect to erase all your settings and reset the wireless interconnection with other Nest Protects. You may want to do this when you move to a new home. Follow the steps below on each Nest Protect you want to reset.
- Press and hold the button. Nest Protect will chime and glow blue.
- Keep holding the button until Nest Protect begins to say its version number. Then release the button.
- Nest Protect will start a verbal countdown and tell you it's erasing all settings. You can cancel the reset by pressing the button during the countdown.
- After a few seconds it will restart.
Your Nest Protect will still detect smoke and carbon monoxide after being reset.
Go to g.co/nest/protectreset for complete reset instructions.
VideosNest Protect (Wired 120V ~ 60Hz) Smoke Monoxide Alarm How to install Video
Documents / Resources
References
App Store - Apple
Google Play
How to install Google Nest Protect (Wired 120V) - YouTube
Automatic Sound Check test - Google Nest Help
Google Help
Recycling for Google Devices, Phones, Chromebooks, and Accessories
Reset Nest Protect and erase all settings - Google Nest Help
Download manual
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
Download Nest Protect (Wired 120V ~ 60Hz) Smoke Monoxide Alarm Manual