Thanks for this old video. When I re-installed my old doorbell, it was ringing non-stop. Now I know why.

Good video just a note he keeps saying 30 amp which he means VA or volt-amp which is watts so this had a 10 watt transformer and he changed it to a 30 watt or 30 VA transformer. The doorbell is a switch and the chime or bell is the load. The transformer is the power supply. I have seen many doorbells with the transformer in the junction box behind the chime- in fact it is the most common method used. Probably slightly code violation but pretty harmless. Good job

Thanks for posting this instructional video! Many bell transformers can be found mounted to the electrical panel (on exterior side) and still others in old homes will be found mounted on a basement beam or ceiling joist in an unfinished area. I have seen both. Obviously you have a newer home! Mine is on the panel. I am glad to have found your video because I needed a 2nd chime location and was curious about the wiring. My wife has been commenting for years that she cannot hear the doorbell in the lower level, especially when the washing machine/dryer are running.

@AdamDIY

9 жыл бұрын

Yes it is super frustrating to have someone come to your home but you never hear it. I'm glad to hear it helped. I'm going to install a buzzer for the back door next.

@drewbush6535

5 жыл бұрын

Codes are made to be broken

Thanks for posting this. Great info on the transformer. Please be careful with using cat5, though. Cat5 is 24 gauge: the code in most locations will be 18 gauge for doorbells. If there is a fire, you could have trouble with your insurance. Check the code for your area, but i would recommend using 18 gauge thermostat or security (2 conductor) wire that has the gauge labeled on the outer jacket. Most of the Big Box stores carry it. Thanks again!

@morejelloplease

5 жыл бұрын

not if you combine the conductors, cat5/6 is a pain to wire for doorbells, stick with 18/2 or 16/2

It works great and is easy to operate

While the diagram you show by 1:08 is accurate, an alternative wiring -- where one lead (conductor) goes from Bell Number 1 to Bell Number 2 (your blue line), and two leads (conductors) go from your transformer to each bell (your purple line) -- might be more practical for some homeowners (like us) with existing or overly thin wiring.

Do i need to change the trans if i'm just adding a buzzer to a 2 button system with 1 chime ?

Maybe you can do a video on how to run a light for the back bedroom. I assume I will have to get a 16Volt relay and wire that into the light outlet or fixture. This will not be a draw on the transformer.

Hi AdamDIY. I have a BT8-8 transformer that provides 3 outputs. 8V, 12V and 24V. I have two bells 8V and 24V bells. How can I connect both of the two different voltage bells to the same transformer?

Never seen one installed behind the chime like that, must be a habit of certain builders. When trying to find a doorbell transformer in a customers home we first check on or near the electrical panel then the next place we usually check is around the furnace. Unfortunately a lot of people bury them and junction boxes in finished ceilings and they can never be found without tearing out a lot of the ceiling hunting for them.

@justinb9010

4 жыл бұрын

I never understood why people Bury transformers, of any kind, not only does it create a problem WHEN it needs to be replaced, but why would you bury something that has the potential of heating up. I was blown away when I saw that transformer inside that 2 gang box. Also a code violation because you have low voltage and line voltage mixed in the same box

Hi. I have a problem. I connect 240v N and L to transformer and it's working 100% but when I checked with diode signal looks like N and L are connected together. I have on that circuit lights on porch and socket as well. I have checked socket and it's working but light switch ain't. Can you tell me what is wrong. Definitely L and N are joint together cos of door bell transformer

Nice video

Does the transformer/belll circuit pull that many amps? Wondering what else I can put on that circuit or if it needs to be dedicated.

Does it matter what terminal off the transformer goes to the chime. Negative or positive

I had my first chime (in the hallway) wired directly to the transformer and it worked fine but I could not hear it in the garage. When I added a second chime in the garage so I could hear the doorbell, the second doorbell stayed on all the time. It seems that I have to connect the two chimes in parallel and loop back to the transformer from the second chime to correct this. Does the second chime need to be wired on the same side of the transformer as the first one? (I only have one doorbell at the front door but need it to power two chimes. I DID install the bigger transformer correctly.)

Can you split the wire to make 2 separate connections? My chime burnt out when contractor was working on front door install (but he has no idea what could have caused it; LOL) I wanted to put double chime to replace old one; took the wire that was existing and spliced 2 new wires in (all 3 reds in one wire nut and all 3 blacks in the other). Thanx in advance for the help!

I want to add a second chime but want to wire it directly to the transformer. How do I do that? Your video is the best I've seen on KZread - VERY easy to understand. So I'm hoping you can help with my situation.

@drewbush6535

5 жыл бұрын

Go wireless

So I hear transformers get real hot? Is it safe to mount them inside a plastic box? Inside the drywall?

Is it possible to mount a chime on the ceiling?

Having an issue. Wired it just like this. One month later systems dead. I'll replace the xfmr and see what happens.

In my house, 2 wires from the transformer go to behind the doorbell button and 2 wires from behind the doorbell button area go out to the doorbell ringer. Can't seem to find or tap into either of the wires that goes from the doorbell button to the doorbell ringer. I suspect they go through the attic. To install a new ringer I just need to new transformer and just run both those wires to the ringer to another ringer, right?

How would you wire it if you were to not only adding a bell but also a separate button for let's say an in-law? Both of them can go through the same transformer?

@elishaoverley2451

7 жыл бұрын

yes

so if I run a transformer that has three modes 8V 10 watts, 16V 10 watts, 24V 20 watts. I have two chims that say not to exceed 16 V Can I use this transformer or should I get a 16V 30 W and call it the day

@TheScottEF

7 жыл бұрын

You need to know either how many VA or A each chime needs. If they need more than 5 watts or volt-amps (not the same thing but close enough, certainly in DC), then you do need the 16v 30W transformer.

I am only getting one ring on my second chime not two like the first one. What causes that? I cannot find an answer anywhere. I followed your video to the T. Thanks.

@michael-wendyhunter1591

5 жыл бұрын

EACH door bell chime requires 10 amps to make it properly work. Most transformers are 16 volt 10 amp. They can not run two door chimes. You need to replace your transformer with a 24 volt 20 amp transformer so that each door chime gets it's own 10 amps and your system will work perfectly.

who did you purchase the 30 amp transformer from? (having difficulty finding one in my town) thanks

@AdamDIY

10 жыл бұрын

No kidding! I searched Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, and True Value with no luck at all. Your best bet is on amazon or ebay, thats where I got mine from. Search "Transformer 16V 30VA" or "Nutone C907" or "BROAN C907". There are other models as well. It may be listed as a 30A, and not a 30VA, but they are both the same. Comment again on this if you find anything and where you found it so others can benefit when they read your post.

@tonymeade6392

10 жыл бұрын

much thanks, I'll followup with your suggestions.

@pinotte23

10 жыл бұрын

DIYZealot 30VA = 30 Watt in DC so 30W / 16 volt = 1.875 Amp. This is not a 10 Amp transformer.

i installed a new digital chime but it does not play the entire tune. i did check for a diode however i did notice the transformer is a 10volt not a 16volt could that be the issue?

@AdamDIY

8 жыл бұрын

+waldo d. do you know what your voltage your digital chime requires?

@MrDodgers310

8 жыл бұрын

I changed the transformer to a 16 volt which that is what the chime required and sure enough solved my problem. Thanks to your video i was able to instal my new tranformer.

The problem with a 30 amp transformer, may never happen, is you are connected to a 15 amp circuit. I would also bet money that it is tied into that area of receptacles or lighting as well. Even if you used a 20 amp you are exceeding the allowed amperage for a 14 gauge wire. You would need to change the wire to a 10 gauge to handle 30 amps as well as the breaker. Saying that all doorbell chimes would have to go off at the same time to cause an issue lol. Not likely 🤙🏻

@James92TSi

5 жыл бұрын

He said "16 volt 30 amp" in the video, but doorbell transformers are rated in volt-amps (VA). The max current in these systems is less than 2 A. 16 V / 30 VA transformer is capable of supplying 1.875 A max 24 V / 30 VA transformer is capable of supplying 1.25 A max. Doorbell wire is typically 18/2 or 20/2.

Never seen a transformer behind a doorbell before in 28 years of being an electrical contractor

I'm a bit confused here. There are two power (black) leads and a ground (120vac) and you used one power lead to connect to 110v and the other black lead to neutral. won't that cause a problem somehow because two black leads usually represent 220v.

@darrellr1362

8 жыл бұрын

I think you are confusing the amount of total power that is being utilized here. The transformer is 30 amps at 10 volts, not 110 volts. Any household circuit breaker would be able to handle the small amount of power that the new transformer was using.

@darrellr1362

8 жыл бұрын

Actually it is driving far less than 30 amps. The 30 is VA (volt amps).

I have never seen transformer installed inside junction box like that. I don't think that kind of installation is allowed because low voltage and 120V wiring is in the same box. That transformer is designed to be mounted to a metal junction box with 1/2" knockout.

@roberttrinkle5188

5 жыл бұрын

lambition it is actually the norm in Georgia. No code against it to my knowledge. Only because the “low voltage “ wires don’t carry a voice or data signal through them as a phone or cable wire, it’s still an A/C current trans transformer from 120 volt. In Commerical application I would agree with you, but in residential these wires cross and hold hands all through a house, unless the installer was considerate and cared enough to take paths with proper distance from higher voltage wires🤙🏻

@soldatheero

Жыл бұрын

@@roberttrinkle5188 Thanks and I agree. I have to do this because the house is drywalled and the owners changed their minds about having a battery door bell. Going to steal power from light switches near by and it seems a 2 gang box is my best bet to hide the transformer. No easy way to go up or down, bottom plate is on a concrete form

@soldatheero

Жыл бұрын

@@roberttrinkle5188 Like you say the only reason I could see the wires not being allowed in the same box is if the 120 accidentally made connection with the 18 gauge wire, which as long as the marrets are spliced well and taped there is normal way for this to happen. like you said they are not communication wires so no worry about signal distortion

10 amps is 20 times the current you'd need to operate the bell. And good luck finding a transformer in the wall behind the button. Mine is in the garage.

It's VA, not amp. VA (volt-amp) in dc is same as watt. If it's 30 amp chime, your cat5 won't stand a chance. You will need a #10 cable to run that circuit and the transformer will be a lot bigger.

@AdamDIY

10 жыл бұрын

Ha ha! Thanks for the clarification! 30 amp on a thread of a copper wire would turn it into a lightbulb at best.

@soldatheero

Жыл бұрын

He does not need #10 he needs 18 gauge wire. they use like 1-2 amps and can be on a 15 amp 14/2 circuit

why would you put a warm tramform in a wall

@roberttrinkle5188

5 жыл бұрын

David Alexander I always wondered that myself. And I have put thousands of them in🙈. I figure it was all about cost effectiveness and convenience the location was initially chosen🤷🏻‍♂️

30VA not amps

CODE ISSUE: I'm pretty sure code says you cannot run an ungrounded screw through a plastic box into the framing like that. If it became live (the black wire touched it) it could start a fire.

@BouviaFamily

5 жыл бұрын

Code says no high and low voltage shouldn't be together, definitely code violations.

VA are not AMPS. A 10VA transformer @16V is 0.65A. And when will both ever ring at the same time?!

Good video. except transformers are 16 and 30 watt, not amp.

Why does a door bell need 10amps??!! this is ridiculous!!

@lambition

7 жыл бұрын

He is confusing VA (volt-amps) with A. Totally different term. VA is volt x amp. So, current of 16V 10VA is A = 10VA / 16V = 0.625A.

It is 10VA not 10 Amp....!! big differnce... the doorbell draws about 300ma, VA is the overall capacity of the transformer, it would allow about 2A total to be drawn, way more than you need for a bell or two..... you are dangerous.....!!

Smh, first thing first you can't have line voltage and low voltage in the same box

WARNING DO NOT FOLLOW THIS VIDEO! Everything about this video is wrong, you need a 16 volt 30 WATT (NOT AMP) transformer, these are not normally available at home stores, the reason you would get a single tone on one Bell is because it is wired to the other door (back door or whatever), wrong size wire was used (too small), you didn't check the power before turning breaker off or confirm you had turned the correct breaker off, you also crammed that bigger transformer into that tight space, it doesn't matter that the last guy did. Transformers get warm and are always working, you replaced your with a larger one. Bigger transformer + tighter space = possible fire hazzard. WARNING DO NOT FOLLOW THIS VIDEO!

@roberttrinkle5188

5 жыл бұрын

Brian E Patterson agreed