How to Fix Your Home's Doorbell
A doorbell consists of four basic components: wires, the button, the chime and a transformer. The system works using low voltage, meaning it uses very little power. The problem with the doorbell can be as simple as a loose wire. Whatever the issue, once you determine the origin, it will be easy to fix without having to call in a technician. The actual repair time can be as little as five minutes to as long as an hour, depending on the problem. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Remove the doorbell button from the door frame outside using a screwdriver. Check the wiring connections. If the wires are loose, tighten them with the screwdriver. Strip the wires using the wire strippers, if necessary, to reconnect them to the button. If the wires are not loose, remove them from the button using a screwdriver. Touch the wires together to see if the bell rings. If it does, you will need to replace the button. Purchase a new button, and install it in place of the old one. If it does not ring, proceed to the next step.
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Locate the transformer near the electrical box in your home. Set the multimeter to voltage, and place one probe on each of the wire leads on the transformer. The voltage should be around 16 volts. If it is not, replace the transformer with a new one. Disconnect the wires from the existing transformer, and transfer them to the new one using a screwdriver. Mount the transformer on the wall using a screwdriver. If there is voltage to the transformer, move on to the next step.
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Remove the cover from the chime by unsnapping it from the bracket with your hand. Check for voltage using the multimeter by touching each of the leads with a probe. If there is power, replace the chime. Remove the mounting screws from the chime using a screwdriver. Install the new chime, and connect the wires.
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Snap the cover into place on the frame. If there is no power to the chime, your problem is the wiring. In this case, pull new wires through the wall to connect the transformer to the bell and the chime. Twist the new wires together with the old wires, and wrap them with a small piece of electrical tape. Pull the wires through the walls. Make your connections to the button and the chime using a screwdriver.
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Tips & Warnings
If you find the doorbell wiring to be faulty or overly complicated in an older house, simply remove the old system and install a wireless system.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
