Hi, I haven't installed a doorbell transformer in many years now. I am currently wiring a 3 apartment building and the upstairs tenant wants a doorbell. where is the best place to install the transformer? The panel is upstairs in the apartment. If I install on the panel it would need an access panel right? Is it OK to surface mount a box in a closet up high and mount the transformer to that box? Any better ideas? Thanks for your input.
door bell transformer location
- Thread starter elecmen
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Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
Are several ways and yours is one. Could also put in a box behind the chime but will need a divider between it unless secondary conductors rated 600 volts. Depends on what they are willing to see. Are transformer plugs that could go into receptacle. The case needs grounded
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
It must be accessible and I know of no place it cannot be installed except for an attic. Apparently many transformers state not to be installed in attics.
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
That is because of mfgr not wanting to replace them under warranty. If they made a better transformer and did not say "not for attics" it would be legal.
There are thousands in attics still working
Buck Parrish
Senior Member
- Location
- NC & IN
I have saw some chimes with the transformer and every thing contained.
jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
I have never seen a doorbell transformer in an attic.
Can you tell me why that would be a good location?
sweetcav
Member
- Location
- Central Pa
We usually put them above a door header in a closet
jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
I have always placed them attached to the panel.
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
They put them on steel box of the attic keyless. Power is already there. Fast ,cheap ,easy
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
what if panel is flush mount in a room
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Before I realized it was against the manufacturers info-- probably 20 or more years ago- I installed them in an attic that had a pull down stair. Some houses are on slabs and the attic is the best place to keep it out of sight. I have not done one in a while but generally I install them by the door to a crawl space or in a basement.
jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
I have never done a home without a mechanic "area".
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Heath Zenith makes this nifty contraption for recessing the transformer in a closet, etc.
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
Heath Zenith makes this nifty contraption for recessing the transformer in a closet, etc.
where is the 120 feed
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
must be nice
]
On the back side of the transformer IIRC, take the four screws out of the corners of the transformer cover and it comes off. I've used a few of these, they are great.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Don't think someone can't do that no matter how hard you try to prevent it.
kbsparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Delmarva, USA
Sheesh, guys!!
Get a transformer that is rated to be installed inside of a standard outlet box!!
The chime mounts over it:
You can get more information about it by clicking here.
Get a transformer that is rated to be installed inside of a standard outlet box!!
The chime mounts over it:
You can get more information about it by clicking here.
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