Where are you residential guys installing your doorbell transformers? I dont know where the source was, but I think I remember someone saying you may NOT install a doorbell transformer in an attic. That is where we install ours. Is this against the NEC? I worked for one company who would have us install a 2 gang box in the hallway of the house and just set the doorbell transformer inside the 2 gang box and then mount the chimes over the box. Was this ok by the NEC? Thanks in advance.
doorbell transformer
- Thread starter chewy
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Service Manager
Re: doorbell transformer
I mount mine on the 4-square on the furnace in the basement.
Never realy thought about the legality of it, though.
I mount mine on the 4-square on the furnace in the basement.
Never realy thought about the legality of it, though.
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
Re: doorbell transformer
I'm not sure how you'd install a chime transformer in a two gang box without having the low voltage and line voltage mixed in the same box. I suppose you could pop a knockout in a box barrier and do it that way.
I have seen manufacturer's instructions on one brand of chime transformer that prohibits mounting in the hot ambient of the attic. The brand I currently use is okay for the attic.
Very recently (per a tip from a fellow electrician), I've been putting a label inside the panel cover as to the location of the chime transformer. This might help the next guy out to save some searching time when the xfmr goes bad.
I'm not sure how you'd install a chime transformer in a two gang box without having the low voltage and line voltage mixed in the same box. I suppose you could pop a knockout in a box barrier and do it that way.
I have seen manufacturer's instructions on one brand of chime transformer that prohibits mounting in the hot ambient of the attic. The brand I currently use is okay for the attic.
Very recently (per a tip from a fellow electrician), I've been putting a label inside the panel cover as to the location of the chime transformer. This might help the next guy out to save some searching time when the xfmr goes bad.
paul
Senior Member
- Location
- Snohomish, WA
Re: doorbell transformer
I like the front coat closet, concealed up high in the corner. It's close to the front door.
I like the front coat closet, concealed up high in the corner. It's close to the front door.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Service Manager
Re: doorbell transformer
See 725.55(D).
luckyshadow
Senior Member
- Location
- Maryland
Re: doorbell transformer
Why not put it right at the panel ?
I have put them in a knockout on the bottom left side or on the recept. mounted below the panel.
Why not put it right at the panel ?
I have put them in a knockout on the bottom left side or on the recept. mounted below the panel.
jwelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- North Carolina
Re: doorbell transformer
The one at my house is located at the second joint of the visitors fingers.
The one at my house is located at the second joint of the visitors fingers.
luckyshadow
Senior Member
- Location
- Maryland
Re: doorbell transformer
Re: doorbell transformer
The low voltage and line voltage are both connected to the transformer right? I think a two gang box behind the chime with a divider separating the line and low voltages to best of your ability is the most practical for me. Why scatter all the components of the doorbell system all around the house? How many of you guys have spent too much time tracking down a transformer? However, to each his own.
The low voltage and line voltage are both connected to the transformer right? I think a two gang box behind the chime with a divider separating the line and low voltages to best of your ability is the most practical for me. Why scatter all the components of the doorbell system all around the house? How many of you guys have spent too much time tracking down a transformer? However, to each his own.
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: doorbell transformer
Your not allowed to have any other loads on the furnace circuit
I know it's dumb?
George Look at 422.12
Your not allowed to have any other loads on the furnace circuit
I know it's dumb?
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
Re: doorbell transformer
That's great when you don't have a flush panel.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Service Manager
Re: doorbell transformer
MDS: I was going to ask, how can you do that and still access it? I didn't think of a surface-mounted panel.
Wayne: Thanks! I thought I had read that somewhere, and couldn't find it again.
The chime is directly associated: Umm... A cheerful doorbell is linked to a warm, comfortable home. See Article 423: Feng Shui for the Electrician.
MDS: I was going to ask, how can you do that and still access it?
I didn't think of a surface-mounted panel.Wayne: Thanks! I thought I had read that somewhere, and couldn't find it again.
The chime is directly associated: Umm... A cheerful doorbell is linked to a warm, comfortable home. See Article 423: Feng Shui for the Electrician.
luke warmwater
Senior Member
Re: doorbell transformer
Here's the one at My Parent's Florida home.
This one was installed about 2 years ago when this house was built. I don't know the company who wired it, but they had numerous electrical problems.
![url]](http://[url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/drumgod/LakeMaryService03.jpg]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/drumgod/LakeMaryService03.jpg[/url])
[ June 25, 2005, 08:33 PM: Message edited by: luke warmwater ]
Here's the one at My Parent's Florida home.
This one was installed about 2 years ago when this house was built. I don't know the company who wired it, but they had numerous electrical problems.
[ June 25, 2005, 08:33 PM: Message edited by: luke warmwater ]
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
Re: doorbell transformer
Is that the end of a handy box sticking out of the drywall with a chime transformer on it?
Is that the end of a handy box sticking out of the drywall with a chime transformer on it?
luke warmwater
Senior Member
Re: doorbell transformer
It's a 1-gang metal plate with a 1/2" hole.
It's a 1-gang metal plate with a 1/2" hole.
Re: doorbell transformer
Hey guys, this is my first post, so bear with me. Great forum by the way. Take a look at this, I've seen these at Lowe's. The box is designed to separate the line voltage and low voltage via a small passage on the nail flange side of the box. On trim, the chime unit mounts directly over the box/transformer. Looks pretty good to me, and it says it's UL listed.
Heath/Zenith
Hey guys, this is my first post, so bear with me. Great forum by the way. Take a look at this, I've seen these at Lowe's. The box is designed to separate the line voltage and low voltage via a small passage on the nail flange side of the box. On trim, the chime unit mounts directly over the box/transformer. Looks pretty good to me, and it says it's UL listed.
Heath/Zenith
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
Re: doorbell transformer
I don't think I'd use that product, but I'll have to remember it. Ten years from now when I can't seem to find the chime transformer, I'll have to remember to look behind the chime itself. Thanks for the head's up.
I don't think I'd use that product, but I'll have to remember it. Ten years from now when I can't seem to find the chime transformer, I'll have to remember to look behind the chime itself. Thanks for the head's up.
physis
Senior Member
Re: doorbell transformer
Let's see if I can get it to post Todd.
[This used to be Todd's image]
That's better. I think it was the space after the "" tag.
mdshunk, I like the idea of marking the location in the panel. I don't know if I'd think to look there though. :D
Maybe under the doorbell you could put a note to look in the panel. :D
Edit: I took the image down because it's size is changing the page width. You can reduce the size with the edit function in photobucket Todd. It's pretty easy. I use it a lot.
[size="1"][ June 26, 2005, 01:38 AM: Message edited by: physis ][/size]
Let's see if I can get it to post Todd.
[This used to be Todd's image]
That's better. I think it was the space after the "" tag.
mdshunk, I like the idea of marking the location in the panel. I don't know if I'd think to look there though. :D
Maybe under the doorbell you could put a note to look in the panel. :D
Edit: I took the image down because it's size is changing the page width. You can reduce the size with the edit function in photobucket Todd. It's pretty easy. I use it a lot.
[size="1"][ June 26, 2005, 01:38 AM: Message edited by: physis ][/size]
aelectricalman
Senior Member
- Location
- KY
Re: doorbell transformer
We mount ours on a keyless light in the basement, on the light in the furnace room. Not on the furnace. Sometimes, to the panel if the panel is away from areas of future finishing. It is not code to put them in the chime box, divider or not. There is too much heat build up, hence the reason for the 3/8" connector on the side of the XFMR. To mount on the outside of something.
We mount ours on a keyless light in the basement, on the light in the furnace room. Not on the furnace. Sometimes, to the panel if the panel is away from areas of future finishing. It is not code to put them in the chime box, divider or not. There is too much heat build up, hence the reason for the 3/8" connector on the side of the XFMR. To mount on the outside of something.
- Status