DIYbanter - View Single Post - Doorbells

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On Sun, 17 Jan 2016 14:43:44 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

On 1/17/2016 1:40 PM, wrote:
First we need to know if this all started when Kate put in a new door chime,
and maybe a new transformer, or is this just a new pro blem with an old door
chime and old power transformer?

It's another datum but the same information is available in other
forms (else the problem wouldn't exist). It's also possible
that mechanism has degraded/failed, "original" parts were "special"
(and replacements are missing some crucial characteristic), etc.

Doorbells *tend* to be designed so you can retrofit them with
minimal impact. People would be discouraged if they had to
change out a transformer:
Where is *yours* located?
Is it affixed to the *side* of a Jbox?
Or, to the top cover of one?
Is the Jbox on a wall -- or hanging from the ceiling?
Is it in a dimly lit basement?
Will you need to hire an electrician to open the box and remove the
wire nut connections to install the new XFMR?
Will the 18AWG solid bell wire *snap* when you try to remove it
from the screw terminals? Will there be enough of a service
loop for you to strip the remaining wire and reattach it?
Will you WONDER if it matters whether the red wire goes on
the "first" terminal or the "second"?

"Gee, why don't we buy this OTHER doorbell, instead...?"

Mine is mounted directly to the service entrance box/load center..
Some have 3 terminals - You can get 8, 16, or 24 volts depending how
you wire to it.