Identify wires for new doorbell

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Otherwise, transformers are reliable, have no moving parts, work with high efficiency and low heat loss, but might feel warm to touch and/or make humming sound that can get amplified if connected to wood surface. Transformer that feels hot instead of warm should be replaced.

In some cases, both wires are black, but one has a white stripe or some other difference, then the white stripe goes to the white Neutral wire.
If wires on back of transformer are black-black, then it doesn't matter which wire is connected to the household 120 volt Hot-Neutral.

Use only 600 volt wire. Lamp cord, extension cords are not rated 600 volt. Use copper wire only. Aluminum wire is fire risk and should be avoided or installed by professional. 30 amp breaker use 10 gauge / 120-240 volt 30 amp outlet can be installed on 30 amp breaker only/ use 10 gauge wire ... cannot be connected to 15-20-40 amp breaker. Orange/ #10 gauge wire, with ground ... 30 amp capacity. Safe maximum: 30 x 80% = 24 amps. Buy: 10-2 gauge/ 30 amp 10-3/ 30 amp Southwire electric tools	Yellow 12 gauge 20 amp 120 volt 20 amp outlet can be installed on 20 amp breaker, but not 15 amp breaker/ use 12 ga wire. ... cannot be connected to 30-40 amp breaker. 1 Yellow/ #12 gauge wire, with ground ... 20 amp capacity. Safe maximum 16 amps. Buy: 12-2 gauge/ 20 amp 12-3/ 20 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground Rolls of stranded wire HOOK UP Wires	White 14 gauge 15 amp 120 volt 15 amp outlet, AFCI, GFCI, timer, switch etc can be installed on 15 or 20 amp breaker. Never connect 15 gauge wire to 20-30-40 amp breaker. White/ #14 gauge wire, with ground ... 15 amp capacity. Safe maximum 12 amps. Buy: 14-2 gauge/ 15 amp 14-3/ 15 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground
50-60 amp breaker use 6 gauge / 240 volt 50 outlet can be installed on 50 amp breaker only Buy: 6-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground	40-50 amp breaker use 8 gauge / 240 volt 40 amp outlet can be installed on 40 or 50 amp breaker only Buy: 8-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground	Copper ground wire. Every device, load, metal enclosure etc must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous throughout installation, never switched on-off, never used as a Neutral wire. Generally ... use same size as other wire in circuit Buy: 12 gauge copper ground wire Ground wire Green ground wire Ground pigtails Ground rods/ ground clamps at Amazon
Non metallic flexible cables must carry ground wire, but do not have hazard of short circuit causing injury from shock. Armored steel cable can be used as a grounded connection, and will protect wires from damage. Metal can be energized from an insulation failure. All conduit ...metal, plastic ... flexible and rigid ... must be attached to structure, and attached to enclosures, boxes. Movement, damage and deterioration are major cause of electrical failure. Buy: Non-metallic flexible conduit Power whip Armored cable Southwire armored cable cutter Pull boxes	Electrical tools must be insulated. Always best to disconnect power, but insulation failure, lack of proper grounding, grounded neutral, lack of GFCI, out-of-code wiring, generator operating without transfer switch, and other problems still pose a risk to anyone working on electric power ... even when breaker is off. Buy: Electrician tools kits KLEIN TOOLS Tools kits IRWIN tools KNIPEX Telephone cable knife Low Voltage Mounting Bracket for Telephone	600 volt 12 ga Stranded wire ot THHN wire is good for conduit with multiple wires ... but stranded cannot be installed under screw terminals on outlets, switches, timers etc without risk ... of heat causing splayed strands ....that come loose ... and begin to arc. Connect stranded to short piece of solid copper wire, and attach solid to screw terminal. Do not solder residential or commercial wiring. Project wire, extension cords, thermostat, bell and automotive wire are not rated for residential or commercial wiring. Only wire maked 600 volt can be used for permanent household wiring. Buy: Southwire 600 volt stranded wire Rolls of stranded wire HOOK UP Wires
Protect wiring from damage Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable. -Code says: Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15 Buy End cutting nippers at Amazon	Electrically insulated tools When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistance and heat on wire and creates possible weak point. Buy tools: KLEIN TOOLS Wire strippers at Amazon Electric Wire Stripping Machine Linesman pliers Utility knife at Amazon	Multimeters Voltage is tested across two separate wires. Ohms or resistance is tested across both ends of same wire. Amperage is tested along one or two points on same wire. Buy: Analog multimeter Multimeters at Amazon Klein multimeter Electric testers at Amazon Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line

Doorbell wiring is Safe to touch Doorbell wires are safe to touch and carry low voltage AC (alternating current) that will not cause hazard. If your fingers are wet, you could get a small buzz, but nothing that will penetrate insulating effect of skin or cause harm under normal conditions. The effect on pacemakers and other medical conditions is not known ... for example, don't put your tongue across both doorbell wires to test your mental condition because the test is not valid and might cause harm. Installing new 'structural' wires? Low voltage wires are considered 'structural wiring,' and should never be installed inside same raceway, conduit, box or enclosure as residential 120-240 volt wires. Doing so violates safe electric practice .... Why? Because an insulation failure in high voltage line could energize the smaller low voltage lines with dangerous levels of power, and create shock and fire hazard. Low voltage wires (doorbells, intercom, phone, communication cables etc) are not required to be contained inside enclosure (box) or conduit. If needed ... or for accessible splices and junctions ... low voltage lines can be installed inside ordinary electrical boxes, or open-back structural boxes, as long as NO household voltage is using same box. Buy: Structural wiring boxes Arlington Low voltage boxes Split box for high and low voltage Split box for high and low voltage 2 Divider plate for existing box 120 volt power lines and structural wiring can share same box if box has a divider so spark from high voltage cannot impact low voltabvge wires. Low voltage lines do not need to be grounded, and should never be grounded to the household electrical system. However the transformer that convents 120 volt power into 12-24 volt for doorbell is required by code to be inside electrically-rated enclosure and be grounded to the electrical system. To reduce potential damage from nearby lightning strike, incoming phone lines, coax cables etc are usually grounded to a ground rod before entering home. There is a 'junction box transformer' made for doorbell that is installed directly into a wall box that contains 120 volt electric power. The transformer is connected to 120 volt using twist-on wire connectors per ordinary transformer connection ... the low voltage wires for doorbell are on front of transformer and not inside electrical box. The doorbell chime can be mounted to front of transformer if desired. This installation meets code because the high voltage household wires are contained inside the box and electrically separated from the low voltage wires that remain outside the box. Buy: Junction box transformer Resource: Junction box transformer sell sheet Thermostat wire, bell wire, phone cable can be used for doorbell installations Bell wire is often sold as a red-and-white two-wire bundle containing insulated solid copper wire. Bell wire is not rated for outdoor use, but can be used inside a structure, or run inside outdoor conduit. Thermostat wire comes in 2-strand and multi-strand versions with various colors. Thermostat wire is insulated solid copper wire covered with tough plastic sheathing. Thermostat wire is durable, hard to damage, and rated for in-wall applications ... and for sunlight and temperature exposure ranges. Thermostat wire is typically larger 18 gauge, bell wire is smaller 20 gauge, while phone cable is typically smaller 24 gauge. All three can be used for doorbell and other low voltage applications (structural wiring). Solid copper is correct choice for all types of structural wiring, including doorbells. Solid copper will not come loose if twisted together tightly, or hooked around screw terminal as long as screw is tightened firmly. Ordinary 14-18 gauge lamp cord can be used for low voltage applications, but the stranded wire makes connections less reliable, especially under a screw terminal ... and the thick, non slippery insulation coating makes it hard to pull lamp cord through openings. Thermostat wire, bell wire, or phone cable can be used for any 12-16-24 volt doorbell system, but can never be used for 120-240 volt applications, despite being rated for ≤150 volt. The 150 volt rating only means the low voltage wire will not melt if exposed to 120 volt, but electrical code prohibits use of low voltage structural wires for carrying household power ... even if installed for short lengths or safely contained inside conduit. Incorrect and underrated wire is a safety hazard. Typical NEC (national electrical code) requires standard 600 volt wire and cable for 120-240 volt residential wiring ... and commercial wiring of all voltages ... the 600 volt rating can be seen on the cable sheathing, or printed on wire insulation. The code also prohibits use of extension cords and lamp cord for permanent in-wall 120-240 volt wiring. Buy: 18-2 Thermostat wire 18-3 thermostat wire 20-2 bell wire Indoor outdoor cable for doorbell/ phone etc Phone cable for outdoors/ underground Junctions/splices Always best to use full length wire without splices. If running wire underground from detached structure, use conduit to avoid deterioration and damage ... and run a full length for reliability. If a splice or junction is necessary inside home, do not conceal behind wall with low chance of being located later. Make connection inside structural box mounted to wall surface where access is possible. Soldering Low voltage structural wiring can be soldered if you choose. Solder increases reliability of twisted connections, and junctions with multiple wires. Do not solder doorbell wires to transformer or to doorbell ... unless the screw is missing. Contrast structural wiring where solder is permitted, .... household 120-240 volt connections cannot be soldered ... adding solder to 120-240 volt connections will create hazard that is against code since high heat from household amperage will melt solder, and wires can come loose. Buy Solder guns Flux/ soldering paste
Larger image Basic doorbell system troubleshoot Doorbell system consists of 5 things ... push button ...doorbell ... wires ... transformer ... and 120 volt circuit that supplies power to transformer. The transformer converts 120 volt to safe low voltage. On the doorbell, the front door and back door chimes usually connect to different terminal ... each giving a different ring sound. Front and back can be connected on same terminal for same sound. Another button can be connected to same doorbell. Fig-1/ wire color added for illustration purposes. Transformer wires: The transformer has 2 wires (Red and Yellow ... color for illustration purposes only). The transformer wires travel from transformer to the doorbell. One wire from the transformer (red wire) connects to center terminal T. !! Only 1 wire from transformer should connect to doorbell. The second wire from transformer (yellow) never connects to doorbell terminal. Note also that only 1 wire should connect to T terminal, no matter how many buttons there are. Wires from buttons Each button has two wires that travel from button to doorbell. !! Only 1 wire from each button should connect to doorbell. The front doorbell button: (Blue wire) connects to F ... for the front terminal. The back doorbell button: (White wire) connects to B ... for the back terminal. A third button could be added and wired into the B or F terminal, but never to T.. The second wire from each button (Yellow) connects to yellow wire from transformer. Twist wires together and cover with wire nut®. Make all connections at doorbell, and twist wire nut® very tight. Buy: Broan Nutone doorbell Newhouse doorbell chime Doorbell transformer Wire connector assortment What usually fails? Transformers occasionally go bad, and can be replaced. The wires connecting transformer to 120 volt can come loose, and should be inspected if transformer is suspect. Otherwise, transformers are reliable, have no moving parts, work with high efficiency and low heat loss, but might feel warm to touch and/or make humming sound that can get amplified if connected to wood surface. Transformer that feels hot instead of warm should be replaced. Doorbell Wires come loose and get corroded, especially exposed to outdoor temperatures and moisture ... but wires can be cleaned with sandpaper and re-tightened. Connections can be soldered for more permanent splice connections. Circuit breaker for 120 volt circuit that powers the transformer can trip or the circuit be damaged in lightning strike, but evidence is usually more apparent than non-functioning doorbell. Push breaker fully off and then back ON. Use non-contact voltage tester where wires connect to transformer. Buttons get corroded or wear out and are usually first suspect in a failure, and can be replaced. Doorbells stop working for variety of reasons, mostly because the solenoid plunger get dirty or corroded, or simply wears out from cheap design. Troubleshoot actions If button is located on brick wall, and button is loose, then break-off toothpicks to fill up holes so screws can bite into something. Remove button and momentarily spark wires together using metal screwdriver or manually rub one wire into other wire. If you see spark, then the circuit, wires and transformer are working. If doorbell rings when wires are sparked together, then button is bad. Replace button. If you see a spark, but doorbell doesn't ring, then doorbell is suspect. Take cover off doorbell and inspect for loose wires. Damp location (for example doorbells installed outdoors) can lead to corroded doorbell and wire connections. Corroded wires can be cleaned with sandpaper. Install new wire nut. Corroded doorbell needs to be replaced. Remediate source of moisture. Have someone push button while you are at doorbell with cover removed. Do you hear any sound or buzzing, or notice the solenoid plunger is trying to move? If bell is trying to ring or making a sound, then doorbell is bad. Try a bit of cleaning and WD40 on the solenoid plunger and test again. If spark shows at front door button, but doorbell is making no noise, then twist wires together at button. Remove center wire off T terminal. Use T wire to spark against F front terminal. If spark is seen, then doorbell is dead and needs to be replaced. Buy: Broan Nutone doorbell Newhouse doorbell chime Doorbell transformer Doorbell button Wireless Doorbells If you have front and back door buttons, repeat same test with other button. If doorbell works with one door but not the other, then the button is first suspect, but the solenoid on doorbell could be bad. You can connect wire to different terminal and have front door bell ring the back chime. If you do not get a spark by momentarily crossing button wires, then check circuit breaker, and read next section on transformers.
Basics for replacing doorbell The new doorbell and old doorbell should be rated for same voltage ... usually 12-16-24 volts AC. Mismatched voltage ratings will not work ... the wires and buttons will work, but doorbell voltage and transformer voltage must be same. New doorbell will show volt rating on package ... Old doorbell might show rating... if not, then doorbell transformer (the source of power for the doorbell) will usually have a rating. Locate transformer and check function and volt rating Go into service room, attic or basement and find the transformer. Transformers are typically hardwired (permanently attached to 120 volt enclosure/ box) or plugged into outlet (often found with retrofitted security systems etc). Function: To check if transformer is working, take short piece of wire and spark across both screw terminals on transformer. If no spark is visible, then transformer is bad. Push circuit breaker fully off and then back on, then test again. If still no spark, then replace transformer. Voltage: If spark is visible: Check voltage rating on transformer. Note following things about transformer. The voltage, the number of taps or terminals, the number and color of wires. The volt rating is usually located between the screw terminals. Typical transformer has 2 screw terminals. If the transformer has 3 screw terminals, then it usually offers a choice of voltages depending on which terminals are used. If the transformer does not show a volt rating, then use inexpensive analog multimeter and test for voltage. Buy: Multimeter Install a new transformer? If existing transformer specifies a voltage, say 16 volt, then transformer will not work with a new 24 volt doorbell. Buy a new transformer, or different doorbell. To change from 12 volt to 16 or 24 volt transformer, or to add another transformer, turn off power to circuit, open enclosure, detach old transformer and install new. The alligator clamp that holds transformer to enclosure needs to be very tight ... use hammer and screwdriver to snug it tighter. Connect black-to-black, white-to-white, ground to ground using yellow or orange wire nuts®. In some cases, both wires are black, but one has a white stripe or some other difference, then the white stripe goes to the white Neutral wire. If wires on back of transformer are black-black, then it doesn't matter which wire is connected to the household 120 volt Hot-Neutral. Tighten wire connections very tight. Do not leave any copper wire showing. Check that wires will not come loose. Reinstall cover over the box (enclosure). Each box must have cover that matches box ... so don't use homemade cover, homemade box, or rectangular switch cover for round box etc. Buy: Junction box transformer 24 volt doorbell transformer multi-tap transformer for 16-24 volt 16 volt doorbell transformer 12 volt doorbell transformer
Wiring the transformer Be careful not to get insulation under the screw because it can stop contact and voltage will not flow ... you only want a short length of bare wire below the screw... as seen in illustration below that shows how to hook the wire. Always hook the wire from left to right so turning the screw pulls the wire in, rather than pushing the wire out. Solid copper wire is best for screw terminals. If you have stranded wire, then leave a bit more bare copper below the screw, twist the strands tight like a rope, and then curl around the screw, and tighten screw very tight, making sure no stray strands come into contact with other screw or other wire ... just move the stray stands out of the way is all that's needed. Types of small transformers Most doorbells are 16 volt AC. Typically, two wires travel from transformer to doorbell. Either wire can connect to either terminal. If home has two doorbells or secondary use for a transformer, there might be two sets of wires connected to transformer. Single-voltage transformer is common, and has two screw terminals. The voltage is specific and cannot be changed. Multi-tap transformer has 3 screw terminals. Voltage options for multi-tap are embossed into the black surface surrounding terminals. For 24 volt, the two wires connect to bottom two screws. For 16 volt, the two wires connect to two screws farthest to right. For 8 volt, the two wires connect to two screws farthest to left. Unknown exactly what 8 volt AC would be used for. Buy: 24 volt doorbell transformer multi-tap transformer for 16-24 volt 16 volt transformer Thermostat wire Other uses for transformers These small transformer produce 30-40 VA or watts power, which is enough for doorbell system. For larger installations such as sprinkler heads, LED pathway lights etc, a larger wattage transformer may be needed. Small 2-pin LED bulbs require DC and not AC. Buy an LED driver for DC voltage. Doorbells might not work with DC, I haven't tested this option. Resources: DIY pathway lights Rainbarrel sprinkler system Buy: IP67 all-weather LED driver
Larger image Add another button to doorbell system Front door and back door chimes usually connect to different terminal on doorbell, to give a different ring sound ... new doorbell can be connected to either terminal. Another button, or multiple buttons can be added without changing current doorbell or transformer. Since most doorbells offer front and back, but not a third ring tone option, then the new button has to be added to B or F terminal. Or use wireless doorbell system for side gate... advisable to check distance of operation and potential obstructions to signal that include metal and other solid objects such as brick and wood walls, trees, etc. Keep in mind that wireless are not maintenance free, requiring battery replacement and likely system replacement from time to time to keep operational. Hardwired doorbells, as illustrated, are permanent and much more reliable, except in power outage. Buy: Wireless doorbells
Add another doorbell so you have 2 doorbells that use same buttons? Yes it can be done. Use 3 or 4 wire thermostat cable and add a second wire to each doorbell terminal. Run new wire to additional doorbell and connect as shown Fig-3. Transformer might not have enough watts to power both doorbells. Remove cover off doorbell and wire new doorbell temporarily using full length of wire that you expect to use. The longer the wire, the greater the power loss. Using full size 18 gauge thermostat wire instead of smaller phone cable will improve power capacity. Most doorbell transformers are rated 40VA VA means volts x amp, which is wattage or power output. Buy: 18-3 Thermostat wire 24 volt AC / 75 watt transformer AC vs DC Doorbell systems are rated AC (alternating current) voltage. For some applications around the home, such as DIY LED pathway lights or under counter lights using G4 pin base and bulb can use only DC (direct current) power from a LED driver. Higher wattage transformers ... typically called power supply ... rated for DC are used for those applications. Buy: 200 watt DC transformer G4 pin base G4 LED bulb LED driver
Retrofit doorbell A wired doorbell system can be created using plug-in transformer. Plug in transformers are for INDOOR use only. Wire can be run along top of baseboard, or concealed behind baseboard, or door casing, or crown moulding. Drill through wall to outside to mount button. Buy: 16 volt plug in transformer 16 volt doorbells 16 volt builder chime Wireless doorbells are easier, but not as reliable, and consume batteries. Buy: Wireless Doorbells
Wifi enabled video doorbell Lets you see who is at door via cell phone Expect privacy invasion while the internet uses facial recognition on your guests, and records your comings and goings ... ... to sell to criminal organizations and governmental agencies .... which have apparently merged into one smoothly operating scam. Buy now ... Don't be last on your block to get surveilled. Eventually we will wear masks, bags, do-rag, ski masks, medical masks, face socks, LED hats and reflective sunglasses to hide identity. Maybe emblazon the family crest on it for show, or replicate photo of your dog. Buy: Wifi doorbell Video doorbell transformer Ring video doorbell Ski mask

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