Electrical Safety 101

Understanding the Installation and Functioning of Doorbells

by David Hart

Doorbells are important ways of ensuring that guests who arrive at your home can alert you of their presence. It is always a good idea to keep your doors locked and to have any visitors use the doorbell so you can know who is there before you open.

Many homeowners tend to overlook the importance of their doorbell and they avoid fixing it whenever it experiences problems. Doorbells are simple electrical devices that operate by completing and interrupting a circuit. As a result, they use a certain amount of electricity and you need to exercise caution when working with them.

Understanding how your doorbell works will make it easier for you to consult an electrician to fix any issues you may experience. Here is a basic mechanism for the installation and functioning of doorbells

The basic mechanism

To understand how a doorbell works, you must first understand its basic structure. The bell consists of two small gauge wires that run from a transformer to the bell buzzer (the unit that produces the ringing sound). When you push the button of the bell, an electric circuit is completed between the transformer and the buzzer, producing the ringing sound. Once you stop pressing the switch, the electric current is interrupted and the current stops.

The operation of the doorbell can be used for the front and back doors. By simply pressing on the ringer, the sound can be produced for both doors simultaneously, alerting the residents in the home when a guest arrives.

To ensure that your doorbell is functioning properly, have it inspected by an electrician for any issues that may arise. It is not uncommon to experience that the electrical wires that join the transformer to the buzzer may become burnt or may cut along their length.

Safely operating your doorbell

In most cases, doorbells operate with a relatively low current of anywhere between 6-14 volts. However, it is important to be careful around the doorbell unit, especially if you notice any loose wiring. Doorbells are capable of transmitting enough current to shock you if you touch bare and live wires.

In some cases, the housing that encases the doorbell can fall off due to wear and tear or physical contact. Make sure you call an electrician to address any loose hanging wires near doorbells. This is especially important in homes where young children are present and may be playing around the home.

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