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- Project Guide: Replacing a Doorbell
Replacing a Doorbell
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Whether you’re replacing a faulty doorbell component or upgrading to a fresh
new look and sound, replacing a doorbell is a project you can easily do
yourself. Doorbell systems may be wired, which connect the doorbell to the
chime using behind-the-wall wiring, or wireless, which transmit a radio signal
to the chime. Doorbell systems consist of a button, a transformer and chimes.
These components can be replaced independently of each other, although you may
find it most cost effective to replace all the components using a doorbell
kit, which contains every thing you need to upgrade your doorbell system. This
project guide will show you how to replace a wired doorbell with a wireless
system and how to replace a transmitter/button, chime unit and transformer for
a wired doorbell. As you work on your project, be sure to follow any
manufacturer’s instructions for your doorbell.
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Follow These Steps
Step One
Turn off the Electricity
Turn off the power at the
breaker panel to the circuit that supplies electricity to the doorbell.
Step Two
Remove the Old Doorbell Button
| 1. | Use a screwdriver to remove the mounting screws that secure the doorbell cover. If the mounting screws are not visible, you may need to unsnap a cover to reach them. |
| 2. | Carefully pull the unit away from the wall. |
| 3. | Use a voltage tester to check the wires and ensure the power is off. |
| 4. | Disconnect the wires from the switch and use masking tape to tape the wires to the wall to keep them from falling into the wall cavity. |
| 5. | Cover any stripped parts of the wire with electrical tape. |
| 6. | Tuck the wires into the hole in the wall. |
| 7. | If the new wireless button’s cover does not completely cover the area where the old cover was, you’ll need to fill the hole with wood putty, allow it to dry, then sand and paint. |
Step Three
Install the Wireless Button/Transmitter
| 1. | If the holes on the new wireless unit do not match the old doorbell button holes, remove the back cover from the new unit and use a pencil to mark where you’ll drill the holes on the side of the house or the door frame. |
| 2. | Drill two small holes at the pencil marks. Use the screws included in the kit to attach the back of the device to the door frame. Some doorbells come with double-sided tape that can be used to secure the button to the wall or to the door molding instead of screws. |
| 3. | Install a battery in the button unit. |
| 4. | Place the front part of the button unit over the back part and snap it into place. |
Step Four
Install the Wireless Receiver/Sound Unit
| 1. | Check your doorbell's specifications to determine the maximum distance the receiver can be located from the door button. |
| 2. | Plug the receiver, or sound unit, into a standard electrical outlet. If you have multiple receivers, determine the other locations and plug them in. |
| 3. | If your receiver operates on batteries, place the batteries in the unit and attach it to a wall or wherever you choose, using the screws that come with your installation kit. |
| 4. | Some wireless doorbells have coded transmitting and receiving units to block interfering frequencies, so check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if you need to set a code on either or both units of your doorbell. |
Step Five
Test the Doorbell
| 1. | Switch the circuit breaker back into the "on" position at the main circuit breaker. |
| 2. | Test the doorbell by pressing the button to the door. |
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Follow These Steps
Step One
Turn off the Electricity
Turn off the power at the
main circuit panel to the circuit that supplies electricity to the doorbell.
Step Two
Remove the Old Doorbell Cover
Use a screwdriver to
remove the mounting screws that secure the doorbell switch to the house. If
the mounting screws are not visible, you may need to remove the cover plate to
reach them. This is usually a snap-on piece.
Step Three
Remove, Trim and Secure the Wires
| 1. | Carefully pull the switch away from the wall. |
| 2. | Use a voltage tester to check the wires and ensure that the power is off. |
| 3. | Using a screwdriver, disconnect the wires one at a time from the switch. The wires are interchangeable so there’s no need to label them or remember which wire goes with which terminal. |
| 4. | If the wires have frayed ends, use the wire stripper tool to trim the ends and strip ½ inch of insulation from each wire. |
| 5. | Tape the wires to the wall with masking tape to keep them from falling into the wall cavity. |
Step Four
Install the New Switch
| 1. | Using long nose pliers and a screwdriver, connect the wires to the screw terminals on the new switch. |
| 2. | Use a screwdriver to mount the switch to the house or door frame, using the screws provided in the installation kit. |
Step Five
Test the Doorbell
| 1. | Switch the circuit breaker back into the “on” position. |
| 2. | Test the doorbell by pressing the button. |
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Follow These Steps
Step One
Turn off the Electricity
Note: Before installing, make sure
the chime unit has the same voltage rating as the transformer. In addition,
the replacement unit should be at least as large as the old unit to avoid
having to paint the wall around it.
Turn off the power
at the main circuit panel to the circuit that supplies electricity to the
doorbell.
Step Two
Remove the Chime Unit
| 1. | Remove the cover plate from the old chime unit. Covers usually snap into place or are secured with screws. |
| 2. | Use a voltage tester to check the wires and ensure that the power is off. |
| 3. | Use masking tape to label the wires according to the number or name on the screw terminals to which they correspond, i.e, FRONT, REAR, TRANS. There will be two wires attached to the unit if there is a front door button only, and three wires if a doorbell button is at both the front and back doors. Labeling the wires ensures they will be reconnected to the proper terminals on the new unit. |
| 4. | Use a screwdriver to disconnect the wires from the terminals. |
| 5. | Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the chime unit to the wall and pull it from the wall carefully, slipping the wires out of the housing and taping each one to the wall with masking tape to keep them from slipping into the wall cavity. |
Step Three
Install the New Chime Unit
| 1. | Thread the wires through the base of the new chime unit and fasten it to the wall using the mounting screws included with the installation kit. |
| 2. | Connect the wires to the screw terminals on the new chime unit, matching the labeled wires to the corresponding screw terminals. |
| 3. | Attach the cover plate and turn on the power at the main circuit panel. |
Step Four
Test the Chime
| 1. | Switch the circuit breaker back into the “on” position at the main circuit panel. |
| 2. | Test the chime by pressing the doorbell button on the outside of the house. |
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Follow These Steps
Step One
Turn off the Electricity
Note: With newer wired doorbell
systems, the transformer is usually built into the unit, which eliminates the
need for a separate transformer. When working with older systems however,
you’ll l need a separate transformer. The following steps are for replacing an
older transformer, which is usually located in a basement, crawlspace or near
the main circuit panel. Make sure the transformer’s voltage rating is the same
as that of the door chime unit.
| 1. | Turn off the power to the circuit supplying the transformer at the main circuit panel. |
| 2. | Use a voltage tester to be sure power is turned off. |
Step Two
Remove the Old Transformer
| 1. | Open the junction box where the transformer is located. In some instances, the transformer may be attached directly to a beam. |
| 2. | Use a voltage tester to be sure the power has been turned off on the correct circuit. |
| 3. | Disconnect the AC wires from the transformer. In most cases, the wires will be connected with screw terminals or wire nuts, which you will need to keep for the new transformer. Gently pull out the wires and remove the wire nuts or electrician’s tape from the two splices that connect to the transformer. |
| 4. | On the other side of the transformer will be two screw terminals. These are the terminals that connect the transformer to the door button and the door chime. Each terminal will have at least one wire. Use masking tape to label each wire so you will know the proper place to reattach them. If there is more than one wire on either terminal, wrap the tape around all the wires on each terminal. Use only two labels, one for all the wires on each terminal. After labeling the wires, use a screwdriver to disconnect them from the screw terminals. |
| 5. | Use a screwdriver to remove the transformer from whatever mounting hardware is holding it in place. |
Step Three
Install the New Transformer
| 1. | Thread the doorbell button wire(s), the door chime wire(s) and the new transformer leads into the junction box and use a screwdriver to attach the transformer to the junction box or other mounting hardware. |
| 2. | Loosen the two screws on the transformer output and attach the doorbell button and chime wires to the appropriate terminals according to the labels. |
| 3. | Using wire connectors, join the permanent leads, or wires, on the transformer to the house wiring, usually black to black and white to white. |
Step Four
Test and Troubleshoot
| 1. | Switch the circuit breaker back into the “on” position. |
| 2. | Test the transformer by pressing the doorbell button on the outside of the house. |
| 3. | Replace the junction box cover. |
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