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This project
has you covered whether you need to install a door chime from scratch (including
button, chime, and transformer), add a button to a second door, or just
replace or upgrade a component. Feeding the wires behind closed walls between
the components, a process called fishing, is the only potentially difficult
task in this installation. If your basement or crawl-space ceiling is open
(unfinished), the task usually is quite doable, even for a beginner. However,
if your circumstances make fishing wires too difficult, consider installing
a wireless system. And if you are not comfortable making the basic 120-volt
wiring connection to the transformer, then complete all the low-voltage
wiring and call in an electrician to connect the transformer. Following
are the basics for installing a door chime.
![]() 1. Install the Chime's Mounting Base: Mark the chime mounting base location and bore a wiring hole through the wall (top). Then screw the base to the wall with screws and wall anchors, which are typically provided (bottom).
2. Feed Wires to Chime: Pry off the baseboard trim and use a utility knife to cut out a section of drywall that will be behind the trim and directly below the chime (top). Using an extra-long 3/8-in. spade bit (or a standard spade bit and a bit extension), drill an access hole at an angle through the bottom wall plate and into the basement/crawl space (bottom). Feed the necessary low-voltage wires to the chime: feed a length of chain into the wall cavity at the mounting base; pull the bottom end out the hole at the floor and twist-attach the low-voltage wires; then pull the chain to draw the wires up and out of the upper hole. Reinstall the baseboard with 6d finishing nails. In this and subsequent steps be sure to label or color-code all wiring (i.e., button-to-transformer or chime-to-button). ![]()
![]() Attach the chime housing to the mounting plate (top); secure the wires under the proper terminal screws according to the wiring diagram (bottom); and install the cover. 4. Mount the Push Button(s):
5. Wire the Push Button:
If you are replacing an existing chime or bell you may be able to use the existing transformer. Otherwise, remove the cover from a conveniently located, exposed 120-volt junction box (avoid attic locations if possible). Knock out and remove one disc (called a knockout) from the side of the box, insert the transformer's threaded sleeve in the hole, and secure it with the nut provided. (Turn the nut with the tip of a screwdriver, as shown.)
![]() Inside the junction box, join a black transformer wire to each of the two house leads (one black, one white). Strip about 3/8 inch of the insulating covering off the wires, twist them together clockwise, and twist on a wire connector. Secure the green transformer wire under a grounding screw in a metal junction box or (for a plastic junction box) to a bare or green grounding wire with a wire connector. ![]() 8. Connect Low-Voltage Wires: Connect the two low-voltage wires to the transformer terminals to complete the installation. Restore power at the circuit breaker and check the chime operation. If you have checked and double-checked all wiring connections as you made them, you're ready to greet your guests. |