DIY Door Intercom

Turn off the electrical power to the doorbell at the main panel.

Find the doorbell transformer. The transformer is usually mounted on either side of the main panel’s exterior and can be identified by two small 18-gauge wires that connect to its open terminals with two screws.

Test the transformer to verify the absence of electrical power using a voltage tester. Place one test probe on one terminal screw and another on the remaining terminal. No reading means the power is off and it is safe to proceed.

Remove the doorbell switch cover to expose the wires and the two retaining screws.

Loosen the wire terminal screws on the switch using a flat-head screwdriver. Turn the screws counterclockwise and pull the 18-gauge doorbell wires free from the switch terminals.

Remove the two retaining screws that secure the switch and pull the switch off of the door frame.

Attach the intercom mounting bracket to the door frame in the same location as the old switch. The switch wires must extend through the center of the bracket.

Adjust the switch settings on the intercom module. Set Switch 1 for Channel A to the "On" position using the tip of the screwdriver. Switch 2 must be set to "Off." Switch Channel B to the "Off" position and Switch 2 to "On."

Connect the two doorbell wires to either of the two terminals on the backside of the intercom module. Tighten the terminal screws clockwise.

Attach the intercom module to the bracket. Do not secure it with the retaining screw until the remainder of the installation is complete.

Locate the doorbell and remove its cover. A step ladder may be required to reach the doorbell unit.

Disconnect the two 18-gauge wires from their terminals. Loosen the screws using a screwdriver and remove the wires.

Cut the looped ends off from both wires with wire cutters. Strip approximately 1/2 inch of insulation from each wire using wire strippers.

Connect the two wires together using a wire nut. Tighten the nut clockwise by hand.

Replace the doorbell cover.

Disconnect the two 18-gauge wires from the doorbell transformer terminals. Loosen the terminal screws using the screwdriver and remove the wires.

Cut the looped ends off using the wire cutters and strip approximately 1/2 inch of insulation with the wire strippers.

Run two lengths of new 18-gauge doorbell wire from the disconnected transformer wires to the nearest 120-volt receptacle.

Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from each end of the two lengths.

Connect the two ends of the new 18-gauge wire to the disconnected transformer wires using wire nuts. Tighten the nuts clockwise.

Connect the remaining two ends of the new 18-gauge wire to the two terminal posts on the intercom system’s AC adapter. Tighten the post screws clockwise using the screwdriver.

Plug the AC adapter into the 120-volt receptacle and insert the plug of the indoor wireless intercom module in the desired location.

Check the volume setting by having a helper monitor the indoor intercom module while you station yourself at the outdoor unit with a Phillips screwdriver.

Find the volume adjustment screw on the back of the outdoor module. The screw is located in the upper right corner on the backside of the unit. Turn the volume screw slowly counterclockwise with a Phillips screwdriver to raise the volume and clockwise to lower it.

Secure the door intercom module in its mounting bracket. Insert the retaining screw at the bottom of the bracket and tighten it clockwise using the flat-head screwdriver.