| What's more frustrating than trying to ring a doorbell | | | | transformer. Check the wires at both areas. Wrap |
| and that doesn't work? You're waiting for someone | | | | the wires in electrical tape if frayed and tighten them |
| to answer but they don't even know you're there. | | | | if loose. Make sure none of the exposed wires are |
| Well, if the ding-dong is dead at your home, it may | | | | damaged and they are connected to the bell terminal. |
| just need to be repaired instead of being completely | | | | Step 3: Check the Transformer: To make sure the |
| replaced. This is relatively easy to do and can save | | | | transformer is working, restore power to the circuit |
| you time and money. | | | | that the transformer is connected to. The |
| Problems with Doorbells: What do you do if your | | | | transformer is usually located on the junction box in |
| doorbell doesn't ring at all or doesn't sound right? The | | | | the basement or near the circuit box. Set a |
| repair may be as simple as giving certain parts a | | | | multi-tester on ACV scale with a 50-volt range, then |
| good cleaning, repairing defective wires or replacing a | | | | touch the transformer's low voltage terminals with |
| part. The key pieces you need to check for repairing | | | | the multi-tester's probes. If there is a no voltage |
| and cleaning are the bell unit, connecting bell wires | | | | signal on the register then the transformer needs to |
| and transformer. | | | | be replaced. You can also use an auto light to test if |
| Tools and Materials You Need: Screwdriver Cotton | | | | the transformer is working. Just connect the auto |
| swabs Rubbing alcohol Electrical tape Wire connectors | | | | light bulb to the transformers using short wires. If the |
| Multi-tester Fine grit sand paper Emery board Old | | | | bulb does not light up, the transformer needs to be |
| toothbrush Lighter fluid A Doorbell That Doesn't Ring | | | | replaced. Ask you local electrical supply store for the |
| Check Clappers or Plungers. Bells or chimes usually | | | | right model. |
| don't work if their clappers or plungers are dirty. If | | | | A Doorbell That Doesn't Make a Normal Sound Step |
| your doorbell is dirty, the ring usually sounds muffled | | | | 1: Check Clappers or Plungers: Bells or chimes usually |
| or muted. Take off the cover to the chimes or bells | | | | don't work if their clappers or plungers are dirty. If |
| and inspect the points that strike the chime or bell | | | | your doorbell is dirty, the ring usually sounds muffled |
| for dirt. When the gong and clappers on a doorbell | | | | or muted. Take off the cover to the chimes or bells |
| unit or the plungers on a mechanical chime unit get | | | | and inspect the points that strike the chime or bell |
| dirty and dusty, dip a cotton swab in alcohol to clean | | | | for dirt. When the gong and clappers on a doorbell |
| them. You can also use an old toothbrush and lighter | | | | unit or the plungers on a mechanical chime unit get |
| fluid on the clappers and plungers. These parts look | | | | dirty and dusty, dip a cotton swab in alcohol to clean |
| like springs or coils on both the doorbell unit and the | | | | them. You can also use an old toothbrush and lighter |
| chime unit. | | | | fluid on the clappers and plungers. These parts look |
| Warning: Do not clean electric chimes because it will | | | | like springs or coils on both the doorbell unit and the |
| ruin them. | | | | chime unit. |
| Check Rubber Grommets in Chimes. If the rubber | | | | Caution: Do not clean electric chimes because it will |
| grommets that are attached to the chimes are hard | | | | ruin them Step 2: Check Rubber Grommets in Chimes: |
| or brittle, it can result in very muted tones when the | | | | If the rubber grommets attached to the chimes are |
| chimes are rung. Replacing the grommets can give a | | | | hard or brittle, it can result in very muted tones |
| clear ring to your chimes. Rubber grommets can be | | | | when the chimes are rung. Replacing the grommets |
| found at your local True Value hardware store. You | | | | can give a clear ring to your chimes. Rubber |
| simply attach the grommets to the support holes of | | | | grommets can be found at any electrical supply store. |
| the tone bars. | | | | You simply attach the grommets to the support |
| Step 1: Check Doorbell Button: If your doorbell | | | | holes of the tone bars. |
| doesn't make any sound at all, there might be a | | | | Step 3: Install a Transformer with Greater |
| problem with the button instead of the doorbell unit. | | | | Low-voltage Output: If you have more than one bell |
| The button can easily be damaged by weather and | | | | or chime connected to one transformer, the sound |
| dirt so it is important that it be replaces or checked if | | | | of the ring may be weak or delayed. A transformer |
| there is a problem. Remove the cover and clean the | | | | with greater low-voltage output will give the both |
| contacts using sandpaper or an emery board. Use a | | | | doorbells enough power the ring clearly. Ask you local |
| screwdriver to pry up the contacts to make the bell | | | | electrical supply store for assistance when choosing |
| ring. If this does not work, remove the button. | | | | this new transformer. |
| Disconnect the wires and touch their ends together. | | | | Caution: When working with the transformer, turn off |
| If the bell sounds, your problem is in the button and | | | | the power source and only touch the wires on their |
| it needs to be replaced. If the bell does not sound or | | | | insulated covering. |
| sounds faintly, there may be a problem in the bell | | | | Tip: Don't worry about turning off the power unless |
| unit. | | | | you are working with the transformer. Since the |
| Step 2: Check the Wires: Bells or chimes won't ring if | | | | doorbell uses such low voltage, there is a very low |
| the wires are loose at the sound unit or at the | | | | chance you will get any electrical shock. |