Doorbell hums, easy fixes aren't working
#1
05-23-04, 10:59 AM
Doorbell hums, easy fixes aren't working
Hi,
My old doorbell stopped ringing one day and just starting humming ominously as if it were about to blow up. Not like the bell was stuck in the "ring" position but like the chime box was just emitting a loud, constant electical hum.
I replaced both the doorbell button and the chime box with all-new equipment. Unfortunately, the new one does the same thing...pushing the button does nothing, and the chime box just hums ominously whether the button is pushed or not.
Any idea what I should do next? Any help is *much* appreciated.
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My old doorbell stopped ringing one day and just starting humming ominously as if it were about to blow up. Not like the bell was stuck in the "ring" position but like the chime box was just emitting a loud, constant electical hum.
I replaced both the doorbell button and the chime box with all-new equipment. Unfortunately, the new one does the same thing...pushing the button does nothing, and the chime box just hums ominously whether the button is pushed or not.
Any idea what I should do next? Any help is *much* appreciated.
BB
#2
05-23-04, 01:06 PM
Member
Have you added a chime unit, or replaced the chime unit with something other than a simple one?
Whether the answer is yes or no, the solution is to find and replace the transformer. It's usually mounted either near the furnace or near the electrical panel.
If you currently have a 10va transformer, you might consider a 20va or 30va transformer, especially if you have mutiple chime units or if the chime unit is fancy.
Whether the answer is yes or no, the solution is to find and replace the transformer. It's usually mounted either near the furnace or near the electrical panel.
If you currently have a 10va transformer, you might consider a 20va or 30va transformer, especially if you have mutiple chime units or if the chime unit is fancy.
#5
05-23-04, 06:00 PM
Member
Upon rereading this, I think Joe's idea is better than mine. I thought the humming was only when the button was pushed. If it hums all the time, it sounds like a short. If you can't find it, you might consider replacing it with a wireless doorbell button.
#9
05-24-04, 04:47 PM
NO I'm thinking the wire from the button is shorted. I think you said you already tried removing the button and it still hummed. Can you remove the button wire at the chime? You should have power wires and button wires at the chime unit.
#12
05-25-04, 07:20 PM
Success
I figured out what was happening. A screen door and door frame were added after the house was constructed, and rather than cut a hole in the frame for the doorbell wires, whoever installed this just screwed the frame on over the wires and left them sticking out. The frame pinched the wires through the insulation, and over the years it finally caused a short. I think everything is working now. Thanks for the help.
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