How to Hook Up a Doorbell That Chimes

Hook up your doorbell to your chime box and transformer.

A doorbell system consists of three parts; a transformer, a chime box and a push button. The transformer is usually located near the main breaker box. It converts your home's electricity to a lower voltage. Wires then run from both the chime box and the push button. In order for the doorbell to chime, the doorbell must be properly wired to both the chime box and the transformer. This simple project should only take 10 to 15 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Circuit tester
• Phillips screwdriver
• Wire cutter/stripper
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Turn off the power supplying the transformer.

2. Locate the electrical wires coming from the doorbell electrical box, mounted in an outside wall next to a door. Hold a circuit tester against the wires to check that they are dead. If a doorbell button is already installed, remove the screws holding the cover plate and the doorbell to the electrical box. Pull the doorbell out of the electrical box and loosen the two screws on the doorbell's side. Unwind the wires from around the screws.

3. Cut the two wires' stripped ends off, with a wire cutter/stripper. Strip the wires' ends to expose new wire. Bend the ends into a hook, with a pliers.

4. Wrap one of the hooked wires' ends around each screw. It does not matter which screw either wire wraps around. Tighten the screws to hold the wires in place.

5. Push the wires into the electrical box. Line up the doorbell's screw holes with the electrical box's screw holes and secure the doorbell in place with the supplied screws. Put the new doorbell's cover plate over the doorbell and secure it in place with the supplied screws.

6. Restore power to the doorbell. Push the doorbell to test that it emits a chime.

References

• Aubuchon Hardware: How to Install a Doorbell, Buzzer or Chime
• Electrical Online: Understanding Doorbell Systems