Doorbell Transformer [Where to find it]
Vložit
- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- Doorbell step-down transformer location… They can be tricky to find. Sometimes they are directly behind the chime on the wall, or in a separate j-box. Step-down transformers step the 120 volt incoming power to 24 volts (or other lower voltage) outgoing to operate the chime.
#facilities #electrical #diy #doorbell #transformer #homerepairs #maintenance #handyman #homeimprovement #doorbell #doorbellchime #troubleshooting #tipsandtricks #buildingmanagement #transformers #wiring #tips #diy #facilitymanagement #homemaintenance
Subscribe: / @kjfacilities-maint
How to Wire a Doorbell Transformer, Chime, and Push Button: • How to Wire a Doorbell...
Emergency Plumbing Repair Kit: • Emergency Plumbing Rep...
How to Clean Your Refrigerator Coils: • How to Clean Refrigera...
How to Winterize Your Home: • Winterization | Ready ...
⚠️Disclaimer:
I, Kevin Jones assume no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. This channel is for informational and educational purposes only! Use this information at your own risk. Always wear PPE and practice safe repair procedures when working with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond my control, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any bodily injury, property damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video, is the sole responsibility of the user and not Kevin Jones. By reading this, and/or watching any of the videos on this channel, you agree to the terms described herein.
Here is a link to Ace Hardware for a new tri-volt doorbell transformer (You can also buy these at Lowes, Home Depot, or online) : www.acehardware.com/departments/hardware/safety-and-security/doorbell-and-accessories/36485?store=15960&gclid=CjwKCAiAheacBhB8EiwAItVO28v6G6aXIt69Bpm8hJVmLa37Rg6aZYM-reBeeSqTuKOTl48tZxqZmRoCxTgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Holy Toledo! I can't say how many times I've seen that box and thought it was associated with the furnace. Thank you for posting this as I was going to be cutting a hole in the wall behind my chime tomorrow.
You're welcome!
Thank you so much! I’ve looked all over the basement and even made small holes in the wall only to find it in the same spot as yours.
You are welcome :)
Thanks. Yesterday I was trying to install a new Ring camera. My old Gen 1 worked fine but the new one, a Plus caused my chime to go crazy and buzz etc. Turns out the 50 year old transformer and chime are of a lower voltage standard, 12v while all the new devices are 13 to 18v.
Awesome, glad you figured it out!
Thank you so much!! I had almost given up and just called an electrician, but it was right where you said! Now I can keep working toward upgrading my transformer!
You’re welcome! That’s great news!
Long story short. I was installing a doorbell camera. Not enough voltage. Tracing the wire, I lost the transformer wire in the sealed ceiling in the basement. I saw a similiar colored wire in the area of the Furnace, but gave up because i was told by an electrician the old transformer should be near the Breaker box. I couldn't find it near the box, so i gave up tracing in the area around the furnace. I gave up!. The house was built in the 50's so ill check the furnace area again. Thanks! Fingers crossed
Good luck with your project!
You saved me!! Found it exactly where you said. I ripped my house apart looking for it in the “usual” spots: behind chime, by fuse box, attached to panel, utility room, and every place imaginable. It was hidden on my furnace next to the switch like yours. Muchos Gracias!!!!
You're welcome, I'm glad you found it:)
I spent 1 hour looking for it. And now I’ve found it. Thank you kind sir.
I'm glad you found it!
Thanks for this info. We got a Eufy cam and had to upgrade the transformer. Once I took the doorbell chime off and there was no transformer behind it I was lost. Thankfully it was in one of the spots you suggested to look.
That’s awesome!
Thank you!!! My transformer is exactly where yours is. I wish all DIY CZcams videos were this concise!
I’m glad it helped, that’s great!
Let me pile on the Thank Yous for making this video. I wasn’t certain if that was the transformer, but now I know. Thank you , thank you, thank you!
You’re very welcome:)
Why this isn't covered on the inspection report? Im junking this, going battery doorbell, thanks for the info
I almost cut a hole in my wall since it was NOT located behind the chime. I went to the basement after watching this an Bingo 😅. Thanks 🙏🏽
You're welcome:)
Man you nailed it, as soon as you said furnace I checked my furnace closet and there it was. Thanks 👍😂
That’s awesome! Glad it helped.
Saved me a ton of trouble looking all over for it. Thank you!
You're welcome! :)
That’s nuts. Who would think to look there!!!
Agreed! It’s an odd place.
@@kjfacilities-maint I think I found it there. It’s a weird looking thing.
Great video!!! Happy new year!!
@InventorKnight I’m glad you were able to find it. Happy new year to you as well.
Thank you. This helped alot. We couldn't find it, and your video helped!!!
You’re welcome, I’m glad the video helped!
I've checked all those places. Except don't have a basement. I checked the attic
Sometimes they will be in the garage, near the water heater, or behind the chime.
Thanks. You the man, Kevin!
You're welcome!
Thank you sir. This helped immediately.
You’re welcome
Found mine on the side of my 200A service entrance panel enclosure, in the corner of my garage. It was already 16 volts.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I am still looking for mine. I don’t have a basement. My chime is in a hallway and I am assuming it is somewhere in the wall although I couldn’t find it with a camera so assuming it may be in the attic somewhere.
The attic, or maybe garage, they put them in odd places.
almost exactly where mine was. right next to the furnace.
Amazing! Mine was inside the AC/Heater closet as well!
Mine was on my on my neighbors bbq pit🤣
Thanks! Found mine across the hall from the chime in the furnace closet. One comment though. In your video it shows the transformer secured to AC box and since the transformer has to have 120v input I can safely guess it's coming from that box?
You are correct, in the video the transformer gets its 120 volts from that box. Glad you found yours! Awesome!
Wow, exactly where it was. Thank you.
You're welcome.
Excellent
Thank you!!! I was finally able to find my transformer!
You're welcome. Glad to hear you found it!
@@kjfacilities-maint just subscribed...hope you have a great weekend!
Thank you, you have a nice weekend too.
I'm in a condo, don't have a basement or garage but can't find my transformer anywhere. Need to upgrade it for my doorbell camera but there's not enough voltage. 🤷🏻♀️
Sometimes it is behind the chime on the wall.
Big help man, thanksb
You’re welcome!
Thank you.
You’re welcome:)
Sometimes the transformer can also be found directly behind the chime inside the j-box.
Mine is not in the chime box. Our AC is on the roof, is that the place we're going to have to look for the transformer?...
@elsasun sometimes it can be in the circuit breaker panel. Sometimes it can be in another junction box nearby. Sometimes chimes are battery powered is yours battery powered? Or hardwired?
@@kjfacilities-maint It's hardwired. I have 2 chime boxes on the wall with no transformer in them, and they don't ring. There's another chime box plugged into the wall, it's the only box that rings. I could plug it in anywhere. So I'm confused, I don't know where does the power come from.
@elsasun I would assume the chain box that plugs into a wall outlet receives a wireless signal from the doorbell push button.
Without seeing your hardwired chimes, I’m afraid I can’t advise you further on where the transformer is for them . It may be up with your air conditioner, but that would be a weird spot to have the transformer for the doorbell on the roof with the air conditioner.
Very useful video... found it. Thanks.
Excellent! You're welcome Sir.
Thank you!
You're welcome
Question. Our doorbell been bugging out for the last 3 years since installed. We have an ADT doorbell. We have no video. Techs have came out to change out the doorbells. Still having issues with video. What is the volts req for the transformer? I think we might need to replace it. Ty.
They may have hooked the wires up incorrectly. There usually is a wiring schematic inside the chime. 24 V is the most common. Here is a link to doorbell wiring:
czcams.com/video/uzdg5jzUd6s/video.htmlsi=6-_KS35dRk-ZPlW1
@@kjfacilities-maint thank you so much. 🙏🏼
@caligirl3000 you’re welcome.
I have a single story house that was built in 1995 and can literally not find it anywhere. Not behind the chime, not with the breaker, not in the attic, not with the hvac. I’m fairly certain that it’s just hidden somewhere behind the drywall which pisses me off since I can’t upgrade it without causing significant damage, not to mention having no idea what part of the drywall it’s located behind, but I assume it’s somewhere in the hallway where the chime is.
Do you see any j-boxes with blank cover plates anywhere? Or is your doorbell system battery operated? Or maybe check inside closets, kitchen cabinets.
Ok but now how do you turn the door bell off?
There should be a circuit breaker in your circuit breaker panel labeled "door bell" or "furnace." Turn that breaker off, check with a multi-meter or non-contact voltage tester to be sure the power is indeed off.
Found one in the attic here in Tx!!.... NOT the norm here either!!
In they attic? Wow that's a new one to me too!
I have a feeling mine was tacked on in the attic. My home is from the 60s
I was curious from watching your video. How would you go about turning off the power to the doorbell? You said your switch wasnt connected to the furnace at all. So if "you" wanted to turn off the power to yours what would you have had to do? Or did you mean it's not connected to the furnace buuuuut connected to the wires that power the furnace, and then you'd have to turn off the power to the furnace itself?
Sorry for the confusion, if I turn the switch off, it turns the power off to the furnace and to the doorbell transformer, another option would be to go out to the circuit breaker panel and shut the circuit breaker off that powers that switch.
Good observation. I had the same curiosity.
Yes, you would need to turn the circuit breaker off that provides power to the transformer, or if the same circuit breaker provides power to the transformer and the furnace switch, turn the breaker off to the furnace, depending on how your house is wired.
Thanks, dude!
You're welcome Sir.
2 nd generation is even better than the first.
I have checked the attic, crawlspace, water heater, furnace, closets to no avail. I found it is on the same circuit as my garage ceiling lights and some wall outlets by turning breakers off. I'm not sure what to do at this point, electricians are so expensive per hour.
If you found the transformer, you can leave that breaker off, replace the transformer and turn the breaker back on.
If you have not found the transformer, you a look inside the j-box behind the chime too.
Not behind the chime either.
Did you look in this circuit breaker panel?
Or do you see any blank cover plates anywhere along any of your walls?
how to turn it off? mine doesnt have a switch
You will need to find the circuit breaker that supplies power to the transformer and shut the circuit breaker off
Hey I hooked up one of these for a Ring DoorBell and it's Buzzing after I turn the power on. Like a grinding sound. O.o
You may not have it hooked up correctly, make sure the wires are connected to the proper terminals on the transformer (verify voltage) and up inside the chime too. If your chime has terminals labeled "front" "rear" "trans" and you only have a front doorbell button, you will only use the "trans" and "front" terminals. The "rear" terminal will not be used.
I live in Florida, and I think my transformer is in the attic next to the light switch that doesn't work either. It's a big transformer, and I'm afraid to mess with it. Any suggestions?
Hi JM, First, I would trace the wires as far as you can follow them to see what that transformer provides power to. 2nd, You can buy an inexpensive multimeter, or non contact voltage tester at your local Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, or Harbor Freight. I would use one of those tools to check and see if you have power at that transformer and light switch. If you have live power, you will want to figure out what breaker sends power to the transformer, and light switch, and turn the breaker off before replacing the transformer. Take a picture of how the wires are connected, before disconnecting the wires. Make sure the power is off.
You can send me a picture of the transformer and it's location to my Instagram profile, and I can try to help you decide if it connects to your doorbell:
instagram.com/kjvegan83/
Here is a link to an inexpensive multimeter:
www.harborfreight.com/electrical/electrician-s-tools/multimeters-testers/11-function-digital-multimeter-with-audible-continuity-61593.html
Here is a link to an inexpensive non contact voltage tester:
www.harborfreight.com/electrical/electrician-s-tools/multimeters-testers/non-contact-voltage-tester-63919.html
Hi Kevin, Thank you for your considerate, and timely reply. I do have several Multimeters I can use. The Transformer is above the garage if that helps. I have an idea they come directly into the attic to the transformer. I'll keep you updated as I go along. Thank You again for your help, much appreciated.
Wow. Whose idea was it to put that thing so far away?? Wouldn't it make sense to put it where people can find it?
I hear you :)
@@kjfacilities-maint Maybe you can help me. Our doorbell button was cracked, and the doorbell was making a humming sound. My husband thought he smelled burning plastic, so we turned off the power to it at the breaker. I bought a new button and attached it, but it won't ring with the power back on. It made a clicking sound when pushed. The constant humming was back, so we turned off the breaker again. Do you think it's the chime or the transformer?? My guess is the transformer is behind the chime. It's a six-year-old house. TIA
It could be the transformer is going bad, or the chime is going bad. You can double check the wire connections at the chime, however, if it was working fine until now, you may need to replace the transformer and or the chime. Yes, sometimes the transformer is mounted behind the chime.
@@kjfacilities-maint Thank you. I will check the chime box wiring, and also see if the transformer is behind it.
Just remember to turn the power off first, if you decide to replace the chime or the transformer.
This video was a big help. Also, my transformer output is 20 VAC and I measured the same at the push button.
I see chime units rated for 16 volts. Are these compatible?
Edit: I found my answer.
I took a closer look at my transformer and it says it’s rated for a 16V load. Apparently the output can be as high as 19-20VAC. I compared it with another and measured the same output.
16 V and 24 V are the most common for doorbell systems. There should be a sticker or marking on the transformer, noting the output rating of the transformer. If is rated for 24 V, but it’s putting out less voltage, you may want to replace the transformer.
You can buy a tri-volt transformer, it gives you the output option of 10, 16, and 24 volts.
@@kjfacilities-maint New chime unit installed and working fine.
That’s awesome!
I'll have to inspect the furnace again...soo tricky to find.
Yes, they can be tricky to find. Good luck!
@@kjfacilities-maint Thanks
Ooh holly you tube 😂😂😂
Haha :)
Ok question, I have 2 transformers in my garage. One with a black plate and one with a red plate. Our doorbell isn’t working and it isn’t just the switch because there’s no power going to the wires itself. So I want to replace the transformer but don’t know which one it is
Do you have a picture of both of them?
@@kjfacilities-maint yes I do. Not sure how to send it to you?
@@NurseOnDuty117 you can send me pictures via my LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/kevinfjones123
Click “message” and then click on the 📎 icon to attach your photos.
Fuse box is where I’ve seen 90% of them
I hear you... I find here in Colorado, the home builders put them next the air handler in the basement most of the time.
Mine was in the closet next to the front door 🤦♀️
Yes, they put them in funny places sometimes!
it helps thanks!
You're welcome, Sir.
E
Hello my nebxbx
L
There’s no transformer in the chime box. No Power to the doorbell.
If you have used a multimeter to determine there is no power to the doorbell chime, check for a tripped circuit breaker, loose wire connections, bad door bell push button, bad chime, check for power at the doorbell transformer. The transformer can usually be found on the side of your HVAC equipment, but not always. You can check in closets and cupboards or behind any blank cover plates in the wall. Just always check for voltage before touching anything or replacing anything, make sure the power is off.
@@kjfacilities-maint Checked utility room where water heaters are, closets, washer/dryer, no transformer yet, we have no HVAC, only wall heater but no transformer, strange...hmm. Will look closely next time.
@Simple Living Do you have a garage, attic, basement or crawl space? Did you check in or near your circuit breaker panel?
@@kjfacilities-maint Have not gone into attic yet.
Thanks for the video, but wtf was it on the furnace?
Haha... Yes, it is an odd place many home builders out here install the transformer.
Thank you!
You’re welcome