\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. She enjoys sharing the hard-earned knowledge that comes with it with the audience of DoItYourself.com. X Step 1: Attach the transformer to the electrical junction box If the electrical junction box cover is still on, remove it. When she is not providing stellar online content for local, national, and international businesses or trolling the internet for organic cotton clothing, you might find her backpacking nearby hills and valleys, traveling to remote parts of the globe, or expanding her vocabulary in a competitive game of Scrabble. This article was co-authored by Jacob Pischer. Remove the cover from the doorbell chime (they typically just snap on, but some may have screws), and disconnect the wires from the chime. While less common, the transformer may be under or inside the chime, so check there if you can't find it near your electrical panel or heating and cooling system. Mount the new doorbell button on the wall. Attach it to the remaining terminal on the back of the doorbell. He worked as an electronic technician and later an engineer for the IBM Corp. is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board. Before you start a replacement, verify that the transformer has power by checking the terminals with a voltage tester. If your connections are tight and the doorbell still doesnt work, call a professional or install a. The Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) has higher power requirements than most doorbells. Before we jump right into the how to install doorbell instructions, keep in mind that there are three main types of doorbell options available today: hard-wired, wireless, and Internet-capable (which link to your homes router, in either wired or wireless versions). Installation is easy, by mounting to an electrical box via threaded connector or screw down and connect the wires the the door chime Plus, it is UL Class 2 certified, ensuring the utmost . To install a wireless doorbell, start by choosing an obvious location for your bell so it can easily be seen, such as at eye level on either side of your door. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Attach the three transformer wires to the three 12- or 14-gauge wires that are already in the box. You may freely link Attaching the doorbell transformer to an existing electrical box and wiring it can be done by most do-it-yourselfers with basic electrical skills. However, keep the sets separate and dont attach both to 1 screw. 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. Work on the electrical box only when the circuit breaker to the box has been shut off. Turn off the appropriate switches at your breaker panel or fuse box. It has two strands, often with one strand coated in white plastic and the other strand is coated in red plastic. By using our site, you agree to our. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Most recently, I worked for a small local professional organizing and estate sale company for four years where I learned a ton about organizing and/or disposing of just about anything. Attach the decorative face by snapping it into place. Read our. If the doorbell transformer needs replacing, now is the time. Your doorbell should be ready to use now. If the home isnt wired for a doorbell, the easiest course of action is to purchase a wireless doorbell. Here are some common wiring configurations that may apply to your home. The best way to make sure your transformer is installed correctly is to contact a licensed electrician to install the correct transformer for you. It doesn't matter which wire goes to which terminal. Look for a double-width main power circuit breaker switch at the top of the panel. Remove the doorbell button. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. References. She has lived, worked, and attended school in Oregon for many years. Strip -inch off the end of each doorbell wire using a wire stripper. Install the doorbell to the wall with a screwdriver. Often enough, replacing a faulty transformer is a fairly straightforward job. Once youve installed the switch, pick a central point in your home for the chime box so you can here it from everywhere. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. If the doorbell came with a template, use the template to mark the screw locations on the casing. One doorbell wire from the doorbell button leads to the transformer. As an adult, she has owned two houses. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Otherwise, simply connect the transformer wire to the transformer terminal, and the button wire to the other terminal. Ensure the terminals are tightened properly with a screwdriver. You need a transformer that is rated for 16-24 V AC, 10-40 VA to provide enough power to your doorbell. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You might want to use a voltmeter to verify this, but generally, the hot wire will be black, the neutral wire will be white, and the bare copper is most likely the ground. Step 2. References. A doorbell transformer converts electricity to a lower voltage, then sends the current to the doorbells other parts. That way, no one will accidentally turn the power back on while youre working. The cover should pull off the chimes easily without the use of tools. 437K views 2 years ago Check out our HOW TO video and DEMO of installing and upgrading a video doorbell transformer! All information is provided "AS IS." Install the faceplate and secure it with hardware (if applicable). {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Replace-a-Doorbell-Transformer-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Replace-a-Doorbell-Transformer-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Replace-a-Doorbell-Transformer-Step-1.jpg\/aid10989890-v4-728px-Replace-a-Doorbell-Transformer-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"