Doorbell Electric Chimes Maintenance

Doorbells and Remotes

• Wireless electric doorbell chimes have battery-operated remote buttons. These buttons can be placed anywhere they are needed, since they do not require electrical wiring of any kind. Doorbell buttons will have varied ranges based on the power and frequency of the transmitter inside. Wireless remotes require regular battery replacement. If you have a hard-wired doorbell button, problems may still arise. If your doorbell stops working, remove its cover and touch the two attached wires together. If this makes the chimes sound, the button switch has gone bad and requires replacement.

Transformers

• Your electric doorbell power transformer converts the electric current in your home to the proper wattage and voltage to power your doorbell. If the doorbell stops working, a faulty transformer can be the cause. To test your transformer, use a voltmeter, and see if the transformer is producing the proper current. The voltmeter should be set to match your home electrical system voltage. Attach your voltmeter to the two transformer terminals. If the transformer voltage levels are higher or lower than those stated on the transformer specs panel, the transformer is faulty and must be changed.

Chimes

• The chimes in your electric doorbell chimes can also fail over time. Your voltmeter is the way to check if the chimes are operational, or will require maintenance. Just remove the cover to your chime compartment, and access the mechanism within. Attach the voltmeter terminals to the two wires that run from the doorbell button to your chimes. Press the doorbell button, and monitor the voltmeter to see if current is running to the chimes. If the current is running, but the chimes are not ringing, they should be replaced.

Wiring

• The wiring that connects all the parts of your doorbell together is another element of the puzzle. If these wires become damaged or cut, or if the connections between them are loose or fail due to age or corrosion, maintenance and replacement may be required. If you find no fault in any of your doorbell components, but the chimes still do not ring, your wiring may be at fault.

Which to Choose

• Choosing the right electrical doorbell chimes for you is a decision that should consider several factors, including the level and ease of maintenance required for each type. The less wiring a doorbell has, the easier it will be to install, maintain and replace. Wireless chimes provide no chance of loose connections, or cut wires, and their placement is not restricted by the need to attach the system to a power source. Wireless chimes will require maintenance as well however, including the regular replacement of batteries in both the chimes and the remote units.