How Does A Doorbell Work

The question is How does a doorbell work? Doorbells have been around for a long time but often they are overlooked because they usually just work. There are four components to a doorbell wire, chime, transformer & doorbell button. There really isn't that much else to the basic doorbell. Hopefully after you finish watching this video you will have a better understanding of how a doorbell works.

[@renerosalez4915]

Very helpful video. thank you

[@mbcommandnerd]

So it’s just a spring-loaded solenoid that does the striking? That’s surprisingly simple. When you push the button, it shoots the striker rod out at the high bar, and when you release the button, the spring pulls it back so that it hits the low bar. I honestly thought there was a motor or something inside of a doorbell, but it’s actually far simpler than that.

[@dalton6173]

Only wanted to see what makes the sound... The only thing you did not cover. Just randomly wanted stop know how a doorbell is loud enough to be heard through the house and wondered if the electric components trigger a mechanical means of making sound or if it is like an old mp3 that only has one short sound it can make. When did it switch over from mechanical to electric and was it a full switch or was there a mixture for a time?

[@scottsparks9199]

If I just need to replace the chime, it's just a matter of unhooking the wires from the old one hooking them up to the new one and then putting it on the wall? Correct?

[@sellgooddeals-DIY]

Correct. 4 wires: Front, Transformer (2 Wires) & Rear. Only 3 wires if you have only a front door. There should only be two screws that attach the chime to the wall. Have a great day!

[@zachkraeuter4820]

If I hit my doorbell I get half a ring..if it’s held down it will complete the full cycle of ding dong. Which component is bad?

[@petersage5157]

I love how this kind of doorbell has separate solenoids for the front and back door, and the one for the back door has the lower chime muted - you immediately know which door to answer. Ding-dong - someone's at the front door. Ding - what kind of dingdong rings the back door anyway?!

[@DrivelineMaster]

I needed to know if the transformer output was AC or DC. I think you said the system was AC at the end but even with some DC circuits polarity doesn't really matter.

[@xokelis0015]

The output from the transformer is AC, you'd need a rectifier to make it DC and that's what power supplies do, but I don't see a power supply in this setup so I think it's safe to assume that it is indeed AC.

[@hermanmercado353]

I have a nutone that when it ring the entire house rings . I'm trying to hook up new ring wired. Can you help me?

[@TheWilliamalexander6]

I just moved into a place and door bell can't hear really, I took off cover of door bell didn't see transformer where can I find the transformer

[@sellgooddeals-DIY]

That is a very difficult question to answer. Unfortunately, It really could be anywhere. Some common places are: attached to the electrical panel, light fixture in unfinished electrical room, in the attic near the hatch, closet next to the doorbell, behind the doorbell, unfinished basement, out in the garage, etc.

[@zabik7221]

You scared the heck out of me! Any way you nailed it. 👍🏻

[@Lorenzler]

My transformer doesn't have power I don't have a breaker for it either what do I do

[@KevinEscobarCo]

Where is the transformer normally installed? Is it usually close to the chime? I tried to find my transformer but could not find it anywhere (without having to open up walls)

[@sellgooddeals-DIY]

So, there really isn’t a standard. Here are some ideas: Attached to the electrical panel, attached to a junction box of a light fixture (unfinished area), the attic next to the opening & behind the doorbell chime itself.

[@robs850]

“It doesn’t matter....” Inscribed on his grave stone.😆

[@DanburyDK]

I am new to doorbells and this helped me understand why I had two wires under that wire nut in mine. Thanks.

[@sellgooddeals-DIY]

You're welcome!

[@65Superhawk]

Where is the 120v to 21v/16v transformer usually located in the house? I have a non-working doorbell. I removed the cover and it appears to be hooked up correctly. I have two 2-pair pigtails coming out of the wall. I assume one is the wiring from the front doorbell and one is the low side of the AC transformer. I don't have 21v on either pair (as tested with a Fluke). Is the doorbell transformer usually in the attic?

[@billeb420]

Any idea what the black boxes on each side are for?

[@mbcommandnerd]

Those are resonator chambers, I believe. They make the sound of the bars louder by allowing the sound waves to bounce around a bit inside of them. Sort of like a vibraphone’s resonator pipes.

[@jamierosales1539]

Sound boxes for amplifying the sound of each chime (shorter metal bar = high note, longer metal bar = lower note). There’s little holes to each of those little black boxes that faces one or the other chime. Sort of how the hole of an acoustic guitar is right below the strings.

[@mzhou05]

I think you need a diagram to explain it well

[@ValiantSheep]

This doesn’t actually explain how the bell works which is why people would want to click on the video and watch it. It only explains how it’s connected. Misleading

[@scotlandboland2058]

I dont know what you're talking about, guy. This is exactly what I was looking for.

[@yippinyahoiionetnnedrager3398]

Kool thanks for showing. I knew there had to be a power source. I guess I have to look in the attic. Thanks.

[@sellgooddeals-DIY]

Good Luck!

[@anonymous-dk1wb]

For a smart doorbell camera I got rid of the chime box and don't care for it I plan to install a nest hello can I just plug in the transformer wire and the doorbell wire to the chime connector or short the two wires together

[@houseofjax21]

great video i was able to fix my wiring issue and works like a charm

[@maloney7461]

I have had the ring doorbell at my front door for about two years. My old doorbell started to make a humming noise. I replaced it with 24-volt doorbell chime to match my 24-volt transformer. I still have a humming sound coming from the new doorbell chime. Any suggestions?

[@8Jallin]

You might a resistor at the box or at the doorbell. Call ring they might be able to provide you one or at least tell you the right resistance, then buy it for like one dollar and. Do it your self. 2 minute fix

[@maloney7461]

@@8JallinThanks

[@daveyjones3673]

I'm looking for one of those special doorbells that Amazon drivers aren't scared of ringing. Would you happen to know where I might be able to find one? Tia.

[@billbaillie3702]

They are afraid of all doorbells, goodluck.

[@UserAccountID]

So, its an electronic xylophone. Got it.

[@jayabhaskar1856]

Where is transformer plac in the home

[@cjxtheninja8]

Is it normal for them to give a high emf/emr reading?

[@fobloveralways226]

If you were to have the wire for trans and front flip flopped, would the doorbell operate?

[@mitchkronowit3633]

It should. The power is AC, so it doesn’t really matter since the coils in the chime don’t have a polarity. But it will probably reverse the direction of the strikers, so instead of going “Ding-Dong”, it’ll go “Dong-Ding”.

[@StinnMysterious]

What if you disconnect those two wires from the board inside chime and connect them together - transformer wire with front wire. To diactivate this chime for ring doorbell.

[@roshanr16896]

2:47 Trying the doorbell

[@Gregzilla83]

This is actually really helpful. I'm hooking up a wyze doorbell and they're telling me it's not working because of low voltage. I have a 16V transformer according to the chime box, haven't located it yet though. I bought a 24V plug in transformer and wasn't sure if I could bypass the chime or if I should cut in before it. Now I know what needs to happen either way so I appreciate this

[@joevaldivia6733]

You explained very simple and to the point, good job 👍

[@sellgooddeals-DIY]

Glad you liked it

[@Rashaja10]

Hi. Chime stop working but the transformer is still good?

[@timmy-the-ute2725]

The striker in the chime does get jammed or damaged. If that happens you have to replace the chime unit. Than can cost about $25 .

[@johnq6123]

Can you split the wire to make 2 separate chime connections? My chime burnt out when contractor was working on front door install (but he has no idea what could have caused it; LOL) I wanted to put double chimes side by side to replace old one (increasing DBs in same location); took the wire that was existing that was connected to burnt chime and spliced 2 new wires in (all 3 reds in one wire nut and all 3 blacks in the other). I already had 30amp transformer bc I wanted to this originally but never did. Thanx in advance for the help!

[@Bpaynes]

Thank you sir