About Doorbell Chime Boxes

Doorbell chimes are a big improvement over the old doorbell, both in appearance and function. As in the old doorbell, they are connected to the main current (110 volts) by means of a transformer and low-voltage electrical wiring. When the chime button is pressed, the electrical loop is completed and a direct current is sent through the main body of the doorbell. When this happens, a series of sounds, designed to be soothing to the ear, are released from the chime apparatus, usually located very near the entry way of a home.

Features

The sounds that door chimes make are as varied as the electronic world that we now live in. While the first door chimes produced mechanical sounds that imitated a church bell or a wind chime, nowadays a door chime can be mechanical or electronic and the selection of entry chimes may be as varied as the ring tones on your cell phone. So when people go about the business of deciding which type of door chime box they desire, they now must take into consideration the many possible sounds that are emitted from these popular pieces of home décor.

Expert Insight

Many times a homeowner chooses to replace an old-fashioned doorbell with a newer chime box only after the older device has stopped working. However a door chime will often work perfectly fine with the existing wires that were installed along with the old-fashioned doorbell. All that one has to do is change the button apparatus and then add the chime box and connect the wires between these two items. The wiring should work just fine with the new parts. This is a lot simpler than replacing the entire system.

Considerations

If you have to install the wires that run from the transformer to the bell, it is important to note the wires are light duty, so that extra care needs to be taken during the installation process. This means taking some caution when tacking the wires into place so that the wire remains stationary. Special tacks, especially designed for light gauge wire, should be used and the wire should not be placed in areas that receive extreme hot or cold temperatures. Also, note that many an old doorbell has gone bad because the old cloth insulation that acts as an insulating material has worn off, and the line has consequently been shorted out.

Function

A doorbell chime comes complete with a transformer, its own wiring circuit, a chime box that produces the sound and a switch, usually in the form of a button that activates the chime box. The whole unit forms a direct current circuit that begins at the transformer, which is connected to the main house current and then runs to the button apparatus and onto the chime box. When the button is depressed a small charge (16 volts) is passed through the line all the way to the chime box and the chime is activated, producing a welcoming sound.

Significance

Because of the more stylish sounds that they emit, many homeowners prefer a doorbell chime to the simpler doorbell. Also of importance is the handsome decoration that the metallic boxes make mounted on the wall of an entryway or living room. Today, many homeowners choose to install the slightly more sophisticated chime in their homes as a gracious way of welcoming guests. The best quality door chimes can now sound like a cacophony of church bells or a skilled musician playing the xylophone. For many homeowners, this is music to the ears.