On Sunday, 28 October 2018 11:25:41 UTC, wrote:
On Saturday, 27 October 2018 16:43:46 UTC+1, PaulS wrote:

Initially I tested each bell individually - both ring when they're the only one on the circuit.

You have been applying 16 or 24 V AC to a system including two similar bells which each worked on 8 V AC. Therefore, after any test in which you do not get ringing on both bells, you should test the bells individually on 8 V AC to ensure that each is still capable of working using the intended final cables.

If you have access at the bell end to the cable, you might consider pushing a thin needle into each wire (I'm supposing they are stranded) to make contact for electrical measurement.

You could try a Web search for solar powered door bell button - using such should mean that batteries don't need regular replacement - existing button for Home, new one for Office.

Your diagrams show no Earth connection. You should be sure that any touchable metal in the transformer is either well earthed or double-insulated and that one side of the transformer output is also well earthed.

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(c) John Stockton, near London, UK. Using Google Groups. |
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Hi John,

Both bells work individually with the intended final cables. Solar is a nice thought, but the boss doesn't like things like solar panels mounted on the front of the house (and it would still require a small amount of maintenance). The same goes for a second button. The boss won't have it.

Thanks for the warning re earthing. All the transformers I've been using are double insulated.

On Monday, 29 October 2018 15:13:56 UTC, PaulS wrote:

Hi John,

Both bells work individually with the intended final cables. Solar is a nice thought, but the boss doesn't like things like solar panels mounted on the front of the house (and it would still require a small amount of maintenance). The same goes for a second button. The boss won't have it.

Thanks for the warning re earthing. All the transformers I've been using are double insulated.

solar just buys you unreliability
You don't need an earth, bell transformers are double insulted.


NT