Does anyone here use 20Gauge wire for doorbells? I got a chance to pick up 5K ft of 20/2Cu wire for 2.5cents/ft. I've always used 18 but this is almost 8cents a foot cheaper. Don't know if voltage drop would be a factor with the smaller gauge, most runs are always under a 100' from button to chime to x-fmr. $275.00 is a decent savings on a product we use daily. Thanks.
Doorbell chime
- Thread starter nizak
- Start date
- Status
J.P.
Senior Member
- Location
- United States
I don't do very much residential so I have never put in a doorbell. I have pushed a few.....
AC or DC? Either way do a voltage drop calc. Or use on of the online ones.
AC or DC? Either way do a voltage drop calc. Or use on of the online ones.
jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
I have had 18 break easily at the button - I'm not sure I would want call backs for that little bit of savings.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
What is voltage drop going to do to a mechanical door chime?
It is going to result in a weaker field in the coil of the solenoid, which will result in lower force on the strike mechanism and will not hit the chime as hard resulting in lower sound level of the chime. Drop voltage too much it may not sound at all.
Electronic chime, may not be enough current to have any significant voltage drop. All the switch loop needs with an electronic chime is enough voltage to make it through to initiate the chime device and what happens after that in the loop really isn't that important, but amount of voltage drop in the supply portion of the circuit could still impact operation I guess, most of my installs the distance between the source and the load is usually fairly short, it is the pushbutton circuits that often have some significant length.
It is going to result in a weaker field in the coil of the solenoid, which will result in lower force on the strike mechanism and will not hit the chime as hard resulting in lower sound level of the chime. Drop voltage too much it may not sound at all.
Electronic chime, may not be enough current to have any significant voltage drop. All the switch loop needs with an electronic chime is enough voltage to make it through to initiate the chime device and what happens after that in the loop really isn't that important, but amount of voltage drop in the supply portion of the circuit could still impact operation I guess, most of my installs the distance between the source and the load is usually fairly short, it is the pushbutton circuits that often have some significant length.
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