Doorbell Troubleshooting

A brief tutorial on how to locate, isolate and correct doorbell problems

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Doorbell

[vsutube]

Excellent vid. when running doorbell wires thru the attic, is it required to be in conduit? I noticed mine wires covered in insulation, but where they connect, they are in a junction box.

[sparkyjohnrg]

@vsutube Doorbell wiring is at a reduced voltage, usually 10 - 16 Volts. Low voltage wiring is not typically installed in conduit, But, I NEVER say never!

[sparkyjohnrg]

In an apartment building, there would typically be only 1 transformer for the building. If the bell lights up, the transformer is fine. Do you have a chime, or a bell? If you have a chime, remove the cover and slide the plungers up & down. They should move freely. If they are sticky, you can use lighter fluid (Naptha) to loosen them. DON'T use oil, as that will collect dust and create more problems.

[sparkyjohnrg]

The doorbell transformer takes 120 Volts and usually converts it to 10 or 16 Volts. It can be located at any point in the house where there is a box containing 120 Volts. I don't know how things were done in your part of the country. In Wisconsin, many homes have basements. We find them at fuse boxes, breaker boxes, on pull chain light fixture boxes, junction boxes, etc.

[sparkyjohnrg]

The chime should NOT ring unless you touch the 2 wires together. Somehow, the door frame may be rubbing one of the wires. It is connected to 1 side of the transformer, and touching either wire to the frame will ring the chime. Touching the 2 wires together will NOT ring the chime. If it worked before you soldered the extension, recheck your work. If it is OLD cloth covered wiring, try to slide shrink tube over 1 wire as far as you can.

[sparkyjohnrg]

Without pics, I am only guessing. I will assume that you have a spring loaded plunger that moves in one direction when the button is pressed, and the spring moves it in the other direction, when released. If this is the case, move the plunger by hand to see if it moves freely. If not, you may have to clean it with Naptha (lighter fluid). Do NOT use oil as it will collect dust. If I have guessed wrong, please write back.

[sparkyjohnrg]

Talk is cheap! Anybody can snipe at others. Get your camera, create a setting and SHOW people your method! There are multiple ways to do anything in life. I presented my method. If you don't like it, or agree with it, Create your own.

[imaginetr]

Helpful, thanks. Nice to see the beginnings of door bell repair with diagnosis methods to narrow the problem down.

[concombrefrais]

Very helpful, thanks for sharing!

[55555brenda]

Excellent video .. Thank You !

[freshdirty]

doorbells be connected to the same transformer if so it would leave me to believe that its my actual chime itself....pleas ehelp thanks great video for a novice like me

[freshdirty]

i need some help my apartment is very old and my slumlord could care less about my doorbell but i finaly had enough since i missed a package today i thought i give it a try..i found that one of the wires to the my 2nd floor apt was cut in half so connected the wires with electric tape and i have power again i know becouse my doorbell lights up but i havent tested the transformer cuz i cant find it in the basement. My question is the 1st floor apartment door bell works fine would both of our

[rcw52056]

great video, it helped a lot keep it up and thanks again

[DarkKnightJK]

Hello, little help please. Recently moved in a new home with the doorbell not working. I am pretty sure the transformer is broken or even missing. Where exactly is it normally located? Thanks