ask the electrician
Electrician Training Electrical Certification wiring recessed light fixtures Electrical Wiring Electrical Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs wire outdoor light fixture Home Electrical Wiring Diagrams
wiring home generator and transfer switch wiring a 220 volt range cord outlet Wiring for GFCI Outlets Wiring Outlets and a Switched Outlet Wiring and Installing Ceiling Fans and Remote Controls wire dimmer switch wiring diagrams for switches wiring a dryer cord and 220 outlet circuit breaker panel
Electrical Wire and Cable


Troubleshooting a Door Bell Chime

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.


Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

Check out my YouTube Channel and Subscribe to my Videos
» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

Guide to Doorbell Problems and How to Fix Them
Electrical Question: How do I wire a doorbell chime unit?

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

Common Problems with Doorbells and How to Fix Them

More about Home Electrical Wiring

Repairing Electrical Wiring
Repairing 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:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Door Bell, Electrical Troubleshooting and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous Next »
How to Wire Switches using the Godown Method Baseboard Heater Electric Circuit


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

4 Responses to “Troubleshooting a Door Bell Chime”
  1. Michael Rowe says:

    My current home had a monitoring system that included a radio, room-to-room communication, and the doorbell. From any room you could monitor and/or communicate with anyone that rang the doorbell at the front door. The monitoring/communication aspect of the antiquated system has long stopped working. However, the doorbell system works fine. I decided to purchase a wireless video communication/doorbell system that can either be wired into the existing two wire doorbell system or by using a supplied battery pack. However, when using the battery pack, you lose a lot of the functionality of the wireless system. I made an attempt to wire in the doorbell/transmitter into the old system with no success. I made a call to the manufacture who indicated that at least 16-20 volts must be present at the doorbell for there system to work. I placed a meter on the two conductor wires for the doorbell and found a fluctuating 20-47+ volts (not sure what that is about). I was wanting to know if I could somehow step down the voltage from the current voltage to the acceptable range of 16-20 volts A/C?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Michael,
    It sounds like you would like to have the existing intercom system working, so you may consider troubleshooting the system and making the necessary repairs. From the information you have provided the problem may be that the power supply is at fault and needs to be replaced. As you have discovered, the original manufacturer may be of assistance and have the necessary replacement parts.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  3. Henry Doll says:

    My doorbell chime has a light “knock” sound coming from the resonator box on one side of the chime. The sound is reoccurring about every three minutes. The chimes work fine but this sound sounds like a footstep in the hallway. Can this be fixed or do I need to replace the chime?

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Henry,
    Inspect the chime and remove any dust that may have accumulated around the door bell parts, then apply a small amount of light weight oil to the chime plunger. Tri-Flow type spray works well for these types of problems.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave