Did you know? Older model doorbell, buzzer, or chime units need a separate transformer that matches the voltage for the mechanism. Newer model units have eliminated the need for a separate transformer. Companies have accomplished this by manufacturing these units with the appropriate transformer already inside the mechanism. Perhaps you have a battery operated mechanism with a wireless button transmitter. Should this be the case all you need to worry about is placing the button transmitter within range of the receiver inside the house. Before removing your old bell unit and installing your new mechanism remember to turn off the electricity at the place where you will be working. Usually older chime units need a 16volt transformer whereas older bell or buzzer units need a 10volt transformer. For this task you will need a basic understanding of electrical wiring and a tool set. Whether your home is old or new, the process of doorbell installation is fairly simple and should not take a long time. Before starting your installation process identify whether you are installing an older or newer model doorbell, buzzer or chime.

Turning off the electrical current where you work will always be your first step when working with electricity. By now you should have positively identified whether you are installing an old or new doorbell, buzzer, or chime. If you will be installing an old system you must be sure to have a separate transformer to complete your installation. Remember older model doorbell or buzzer units usually run off of a 10 volt transformer. Whereas older door chime units will run off of a 16 volt transformer. Transformers convert the normal household electrical current of 120 volts down to 16 volts or 10 volts depending on the unit you are working with. At this point it would be a good idea to label the wires you will be working with. By doing this you assure yourself a successful installation on your first try.

When preparing to mount your new system where your old system was mounted, be sure to check that the screw holes on the new system align correctly with the wall holes where your old system was previously mounted. If the holes do not line up, simply marking where the new holes should be and then drilling the new holes is quite simple. If you have not done so already now would be a good time to label the wires that were connected to the old terminal and to remove the old button from the door and label those wires also. Doing this before installing your new unit will save you time and energy. If you are installing a wireless button be sure that the receiver is in range of the wireless button transmitter.

When installing a bell, buzzer, or chime on a single door the wiring is quite simple. A single wire will run from the transformer terminal to the button on the door. The same wire will run from the button on the door to the mechanism inside the house. If you are installing a system on more then one door usually the transformer terminal inside the house will be labled with an F(front) and B(back). If the terminal you are working with does not have these designators then the wiring should not be much more complex. A wire will run from the transformer terminal to the first door button. As before the wire from the first button will return to the mechanism inside the house. For a second button, run a wire from the the same transformer terminal to where the second button is installed. To complete this circuit the wire must run from the second button and return to the unit inside the house.