Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Smoke alarm installation instructions unclear

Well, I think I'm the victim of yet another product with half-baked instructions.

I bought a USI Electric (http://www.usielectric.com/) smoke alarm, model USI-5204, to replace a 17 year old alarm. The unit was packaged with the main alarm unit and a base/mounting plate, that's all. This unit is designed to be hard wired and has a battery for backup. Clearly, the AC power is supposed to supplied through 3 metal contacts on the bottom of the unit. The mounting plate has no wiring connections; it's just plate to which the main unit attaches for mounting on the ceiling; it has a large opening in the middle where those three metal contacts reach through. So, clearly, there must be some corresponding contacts on some other component mounted to the ceiling. Yet, I have no such component installed; never was; the old alarm was designed quite different.

The instructions mention an AC Quick Connector. So, I guess I need to buy that as a separate component. Does this sound right?

Have you contacted USI and asked why the 3-wire connector was not included? They list both an 800 number and an E-mail address on their home page.

That connector typically comes in the package with a new hardwired smoke. Yours may have been mis-packed or the part escaped in handling or on the store shelf.