Step 2. These cables are often secured inside the transformer housing. If the doorbell rings, the button is at fault. Connect the wires. The strands are separated into single strands for this project. Exercise caution when wiring the transformer to the electrical box, since the box contains household current sufficient to cause injury or death. Once you have switched the power off to the proper panel in the circuit breaker, remove the transformer from the wall joist with a screw gun. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Take it off first. Hardwired doorbells are generally installed during the construction of a home when an electrician can easily run wires through the unfinished walls. If the home isnt wired for a doorbell, the easiest course of action is to purchase a wireless doorbell. Attach a single strand of bell wire on the back of the doorbell base onto the FRONT terminal. If you dont have a doorbell or transformer installed, and you think youd prefer a battery powered option, you may want to install a Nest Doorbell (battery) instead. To shop transformers for. If the transformer needs replacing, youll need to remove it. For homes with long driveways, gates, and other far-away locations where you might want to install a doorbell, however, the distance the signal reaches matters more. Remove the cover, have a helper press the doorbell button, and test the chime with a low-voltage meter. Screw the faceplate or device with cover back onto the electrical box. suggestions. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Also, check in the basement near the breaker panel or near the front door. He worked as an electronic technician and later an engineer for the IBM Corp. is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board. Turn off the appropriate switches at your breaker panel or fuse box. Website operating Attach the three transformer wires to the three 12- or 14-gauge wires that are already in the box. Choose a wireless model for easy installation and a variety of possible chime sounds. The cover should pull off the chimes easily without the use of tools. "It's a cool way to install. Basic Electricity Safety. If you turned off main power from the start, its still wise to test the transformer, just in case you flipped the wrong switch. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Not quite homesteaders, she did grow up with a farm, tractors, motorcycles, expansive gardens, hay fields, barns, and lots of repairs to do. If the doorbell came with a template, use the template to mark the screw locations on the casing. Ever since weve had doors, weve been reinventing ways to be alerted to a visitors arrival. Use a screwdriver to attach the hot wire to the ground wire. After you've found the transformer, you'll need to remove the old one. How To Wire A Doorbell Transformer One Hour Smart Home 61.6K subscribers Subscribe 639 112K views 3 years ago Doorbell Transformer: https://amzn.to/2mCPALK Non Contact Voltage Meter:. Placing the doorbell switch around eye-level on either side of your door frame is a good bet. Most doorbell chimes use a transformer to step down the voltage from 110/120 VAC (volts alternating current) to 10 to 24 VAC. Since electrical repairs can be tricky, keep in mind its usually best to hire a professional, especially if youre not experienced with home wiring. You'll probably find any screws that hold the transformer in place are Phillips-head, so have both types of screwdriver handy when you make the repair. Usually, if the doorbell is wired down, it will be hardwired into the basement or crawlspace. If the transformer is in the basement you can drill a 3/8-inch hole up through the floor into the wall cavity where you want the chime located. A doorbell transformer, like any other electrical transformer, reduces or transforms currents of electricity. If your home doesn't already have a doorbell and transformer, here are some diagrams to show how to connect the transformer to your Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen). Depressing the button may not properly close the electrical circuit. Locate the power source and break the circuit by switching off the circuit breaker to prevent electrical shock while installing the doorbell transformer. Try the attic: Doorbell transformers are sometimes installed on an existing junction box in the attic of a ranch or a house with an attached garage near the front door. Many models of chimes will include small wiring diagrams printed inside to help with installation. Complete the wiring This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You wont need to use them for a wireless doorbell installation, so you can either wrap the bare ends of the old doorbell wiring with electrical tape and tuck the wires back into the wall, or twist plastic wire nuts over each of the wires. For many doorbell transformers, you'll likely need a flat-head screwdriver to tighten and loosen the screw terminals. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. You need to drill a -inch hole through the trim on the side of the door for the button. Install your Video Doorbell Pro 4. Hold only the coated sections of the wire. Look for buildup in the mechanism, and clean any grime with rubbing alcohol. Jacob Pischer is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Helpful Badger, a home repair service in Portland, OR. If you dont get a reading of at least 16 volts, the transformer is broken. Opt for a traditional wired system for a sturdier, more reliable form of doorbell. For more information on how to replace your transformer, please use this article. It is best to remove the trim and run the wiring behind it. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years. If the doorbell rings, the switch needs to be replaced. Secure the doorbell plate to the wall with the screws included in the kit. Turn the breaker box back on. If youre not sure if the transformer is the problem, test its screw terminals with a voltage meter (with the power from the main panel turned on). Her dad worked in the floor covering business and owned local floor covering businesses, so of course selling floor covering was one of her first jobs. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Install-a-Doorbell-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Doorbell-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Install-a-Doorbell-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/aid1380754-v4-728px-Install-a-Doorbell-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"