Troubleshooting a Door Bell Chime
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How do I wire a doorbell chime unit? How to Fix a Door Bell Problem, The Most Common Problems with Doorbells and How to Fix Them. © By: Dave Rongey |
Guide to Doorbell Problems and How to Fix Them
Electrical Question: How do I wire a doorbell chime unit?
- I disconnected a doorbell chime unit to apply Venetian plaster and it was down for about 2 weeks.
- I reinstalled it using the one red wire and one white wire that I disconnected.
- Two days later everything on that circuit stopped working.
- I checked the breaker, but did not find any tripped. I even reset every breaker in the box to make sure I didn’t miss any.
- I then disconnected the doorbell and about 30 minutes later everything on that circuit was working again. I thought maybe I reconnected the wires on the doorbell backwards, so I connected them the opposite way and tried it again.
- The same thing happened, everything worked for about 2 days and then suddenly stopped.
- I have discovered that the breaker that is on may be a AFCI, but did not know that at the time.
I am not quite sure what the cause is, but I know it is with the doorbell, everything was fine before I disconnected it. How do I fix my doorbell?
Thanks
This home electrical repairs question came from: Tammy, from Nashville, Tennessee.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical troubleshooting question Tammy.
How to Repair a Door Bell Chime Problem
Application: How to Fix Door Bell Electrical Wiring.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate – Best if wired by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, comprehension, and ability to work with tools.
Precaution: Identify the supply circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the circuit wiring.
Electrical Wiring for a Door Bell
- Disconnected Doorbell Wires
- When the door bell wiring was disconnected and if the wires were bare then it may have produce a spark. Even a small spark from a doorbell could cause the AFCI circuit breaker to trip OFF. When a doorbell is removed it is best to make sure the wires are capped off or covered with electrical tape.
- Door Bell Wiring
- The most common doorbell system consists of a low voltage transformer and two wires that are installed between the transformer, the doorbell button on the porch, and the wall mounted doorbell chime.
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- Doorbell Wiring Connections
- Make sure the wiring connections are tight and well insulated to eliminate the possibility of bare wires that could create an arc or spark.
- The most common way a doorbell is wired:
- One pair of wires from the transformer to the chime where the white wire connects to one of the chime screw terminals.
- Another pair of wires from the chime to the doorbell button which is basically wired as a loop from remaining red wire from the transformer, to the button, and back to the chime where it is then connected to the other chime screw terminal.
- Doorbell Wiring Connections
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Common Problems with Doorbells and How to Fix Them
- How to Troubleshoot and Fix Doorbell Problems
- Here are the 4 Components of a Doorbell System and How to Check Them:
- Electric Line Circuit Power: This is typically 120volts which connects to the transformer. The circuit power should be tested and verified. A doorbell does not require a dedicated circuit, so typically it is on a shared circuit with other devices, therefore if the circuit power is not working then other devices may not be working as well.
- The low voltage wiring from the transformer to the wall chime and the doorbell button. The low voltage may be verified using a circuit tester.
- The doorbell Button: Sometimes the pair of contacts of the doorbell button will wear out and stop working, if so then simply replace the doorbell button.
- The door bell wall chime: Standard door bell chimes will last a long time, but just like anything else it may need a little maintenance. Standard wall chimes have two plungers with a spring which can stop working due to rust or dust which can be easily solved by carefully cleaning these parts and then applying a very small amount of light duty lubricant.
- Here are the 4 Components of a Doorbell System and How to Check Them:
More about Home Electrical Wiring
Repairing Electrical Wiring
Electrical Splices – Part 1 – Emergency electrical wiring repairs should be made using the right materials for your particular application. Here are a few choices to help you decide what you’ll need.
The following may also be helpful for you:
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
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