Will a doorbell chime(multi note, plays actual tunes) wear out/ruin a xfmr over time quicker than a conventional "ding dong"? HO has gone thru (2) 16V 10 watt xfmr's in the past 2 years. Can't find any requirements on the chime, it's some foreign gem that was purchased on line.Without knowing what the chime is rated for as far as voltage, would stepping up to a 24V 20 watt be a "unsafe install"? Wire is #18-2, can't see that being a weak link. Thanks.
dorrbell xfmr
- Thread starter nizak
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- Location
- Logan, Utah
Check out the rated wattage of the chime unit. I have had to bump up the doorbell transformer to a 30 VA tranformer to supply some of the larger door chime units.
Also if there is excessive voltage drop in the circuit this could also cause an issue.
Chris
Also if there is excessive voltage drop in the circuit this could also cause an issue.
Chris
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Where is the transformer. If it is in an attic then there's a good chance that is the problem.
If you have a Variac
or power resistors put in series with the chime or the transformer primary
you probably will be able to tell if the chime is underpowered or overpowered.
Reduce the chime voltage until you get unreliable operation and measure the power into the chime. Rated power is slightly above this value. The extra margin required is probably similar to pull-in voltages vs. drop-out voltages for relays unless it doesn't use coils.
or power resistors put in series with the chime or the transformer primary
you probably will be able to tell if the chime is underpowered or overpowered.
Reduce the chime voltage until you get unreliable operation and measure the power into the chime. Rated power is slightly above this value. The extra margin required is probably similar to pull-in voltages vs. drop-out voltages for relays unless it doesn't use coils.
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