Handy Hints for Installing Doorbells
You can buy pushbuttons and chime boxes together in a kit or separately, depending on your needs.
When running wire for the doorbell, take a measurement of the length from your pushbutton location to the
transformer, and then add about 15 feet to the measurement. This additional cable length will help provide you
with some leeway as you route your cable through twists and turns.
Installing two or more doorbell pushbuttons? Calculate the measurement of the distance from each of your
pushbutton locations back to the transformer, and then add the extra 15 feet to that total.
Pushbuttons are the most convenient when installed at doorknob level about four to five inches from the edge
of the door.
To ensure an unobtrusive chime box, mount your interior box unit six feet from the floor, at a minimum.
Run cables inside walls or ceilings so they are safely out of sight.
HOW TO REPLACE A DOORBELL
1. Turn off the breaker that supplies power to the doorbell.
2. Carefully remove the doorbell switch from beside the door. Remove the mounting screws
and gently pull the switch and wires away from the hole through which the wires exit the
house. Use a circuit tester to ensure the power is off.
3. Secure the wires so they cannot accidentally slide back into the hole and disappear.
4. Disconnect the wires from the switch.
5. Connect the wires to the screw terminals on the new switch. You don't have to concern yourself about which
wire goes to which terminal—it doesn't matter.
6. Remove the tape from the wires, and feed them back into the wall so the new switch sits against the area from
which you removed the old one.
7. Mount the switch using the screws provided.
8. Locate the old chime unit inside the house and remove it by taking out the mounting screws. Again, pull the unit
away from the wall and secure the wires to prevent them from sliding through and disappearing behind the wall.
9. Remove the wires one at a time. Apply a small piece of tape to each
and label the screw terminal location from which it was removed. The
terminals should already be labeled on the unit itself. Discard the old
unit.
10. Remove the cover from the new chime unit. Thread the wires
through the base of the unit and install the base against the wall using
the mounting screws provided.
11. Connect the wires to the appropriate terminals using the labels as a
guide.
12. Attach the cover to the chime unit and restore power to the circuit.
Installing 2 or More Chimes
It is possible to install up to 3 standard door chimes that are activated by front, back, or side door
buttons. This is handy for people who find themselves working in a basement or up on a second floor area
away from the primary door chime.
You will probably have to install a new transformer. Single door chimes work best with 16 volt 10 watt
transformers. To power your additional chime, you will need to install a 16 volt 30 watt transformer. The
voltage and wattage of transformers is stamped or printed on the body of the transformer. When you install
the 30 watt transformer, it can go in the same location as your existing transformer.
use the proper wire. Purchase 18 or 20 gauge wire that is UL approved. Make sure the wire is the solid type,
not stranded. Purchase a large spool containing several hundred feet. You will be surprised at how much wire
you will use. The existing wires in your walls do not require upgrading.
Before you begin, you need to disconnect the high voltage power to the transformer. If you don’t do this you
can easily cause an electrical short that will harm the transformer, the door chimes, and/or yourself.
remove the covers from your door chimes. You will probably see four screws. Three of these screws are
used to connect to the door buttons. They are usually clearly marked: Front, Rear, and Side. The other screw
is marked Transformer. Your challenge will be to run 4 separate wires between the two door chimes. All you
have to do is hook each individual wire to the same screw on each chime. For example, the first wire you run
should attach to the screw marked Transformer on each chime. Be sure to leave the existing wires in place on
the original door chime.
Once you have made all of the connections, re-energize the new transformer. As long as you
installed a standard 2 note chime (Ding – Dong) to match your existing chime, both chimes should activate
when someone pushes the front door button. Don’t make the mistake of trying to install a fancy 4 or 8 note
chime if you have a traditional 2 note door chime. These fancy door chimes require a fifth wire to be run
between the door chime and the door buttons. That can get complicated.
This process will create additional door button you will have at each door. In order to activate your
old door chime and the new one, a visitor will have to push both buttons. You may want to make a little sign
that tells visitors to push both buttons.
Solve your wiring problem by installing a new separate wireless door chime. These are very clever
devices. They require no wires at all. The door chimes themselves are very attractive. Many have up to a 100
foot operating range. You can even get one that has a fancy 8 note chime.
Because the wireless models come with over 50 different codes, your TV remote and garage door
operators will not cause the door chime to activate. You can also buy a wireless door chime that uses your
existing door buttons and wall chime. The new slave chime installs in just minutes using your existing
household electric current and the low voltage system already in place.
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