Hey guys, kind of a dumb question probably, do you put your doorbell transformer on arc fault protection in a house? I always mount the transformer on the outside of the breaker panel, it's feed by a 15-amp breaker, code requires all outlets and devices in a house (in listed areas) to be on arc fault protection, so if say the doorbell chime is in a living room, it's in that listed area. But after the transformer is a 16v circuit, but it's connected to a 120v circuit, in the mechanical room, not listed to be arc fault protected... I've seen doorbell chimes fried, you know if the button gets stuck, i've seen Ring video doorbells malfunction and do the same, but not much more then the coil burned up. What do you guys think?
Doorbell on AFCI
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kwired
Electron manager
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- NE Nebraska
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- EC
The transformer would be the "outlet" that needs protected, but only if it is in a location mentioned in 210.12.
I have my doubts the AFC protecting the transformer primary will respond to an issue that occurs on the 16 volt secondary. On top of that these transformers are usually impedance protected so they not too likely to start a fire anyway.
I have my doubts the AFC protecting the transformer primary will respond to an issue that occurs on the 16 volt secondary. On top of that these transformers are usually impedance protected so they not too likely to start a fire anyway.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
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- EC
99% the wireless doorbells I have encountered never work when you try to use them - probably dead battery in most instances.
Ring wireless or any others that might be similar hasn't been around long enough, once the fad wears off many those will be dead when you come to the door as well.
At least the Ring will alert the user when the battery gets low. That doesn’t guarantee it will get changed, though.
Knuckle Dragger
Master Electrician Electrical Contractor 01752
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- Marlborough, Massachusetts USA
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- Electrical Contractor
Blasphemy!
How long I wonder? I moved house 20 some years ago. That was the last time I needed a doorbell with a transformer. I imagine some people still have them. As it happens I usually don't need a doorbell of any kind. The dog has very good hearing................
brantmacga
Señor Member
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- Georgia
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- Former Child
I started seeing that more often too, and then video doorbells that need power became a thing.
My friends bought the house behind me and the previous owner had installed wireless Ring doorbells instead of running wired doorbells, and then took the Ring units when they left.
I ended up having to do a bunch of trim work to get a wire there for a wired video doorbell.
Before ….
Notching mortar and running wire …
Installing trim between every window so it would match …
Finished product ….
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