Wired Doorbell Push Buttons

Wired Doorbells can be powered by batteries or transformers connected to a mains supply. The transformer drops the voltage to between 8 - 12v a/c - a safe voltage for external bell pushes. Transformers are normally external to the doorbell and are often positioned in the consumer unit, but can be positioned anywhere (they are ugly boxes are not normally visible). Some units have internal transformers which only require a mains connection. Battery wired doorbells are perfectly acceptable and for typical use batteries should last about 3 years - but they have the benefit of a simple DIY installation. Some units can either be powered by batteries or external transformers and the sound is produced by 2 different methods - mechanical or electronic. Mechanical action doorbells have a hammer hitting metal to produce a ding-dong, ringing bell or buzzer sound, whilst electronic chimes have pre-recorded melodies ( up to a choice of 17 for some models ). Unless they are sold as kits, a doorbell will need a bell push button and bell wire as well - the bell wire must be good quality to prevent "voltage drop" at these low voltages (a symptom is that the doorbell will sound feeble).

Wired Flush fitting bell push buttons can be used with any make or type of wired doorbell chime unit. They can also be made to work with wireless systems if connected to a Wired to Wirefree Extender - Click here for extenders. The term, Flush Fitting, means that the movement of the bell push button is behind the front plate, so there is always a need to have a hole made behind the plate to accommodate this movement. However, for most of the round bell pushes there are options for wooden oak or mahogany plinths - Click here, or we supply bell pushes and plinth combinations - Click here. When mounted on a plinth, there is no need for a large hole behind, just a hole for bell wire.

Wired surface mounted bell push buttons can also be used with any make or type of wired doorbell. They too can be made to work with wireless systems if connected to a Wired to Wirefree Extender - Click here for extenders. The term, Surface Mount, means that the movement of the bell push button is in front the front plate, so there is only the need for a small hole behind the plate to accommodate the bell wire.

Illuminated bell push buttons can be used with any make or type of wired doorbell that is powered by a transformer operating at 8,12, 16 or 24-volts A/C. They should not be use with battery operated chimes or Wired to Wirefree Extenders, since in both cases the light will drain batteries. The term, Surface Mount, means that the movement of the bell push button is in front the front plate, so there is only the need for a small hole behind the plate to accommodate the bell wire.

Wired doorbell kits Here is a selection of Wired doorbell kits. These Wired Doorbell kits can be powered by batteries only, transformer only or either battery or transformer depending on the model. Transformers connect to the mains and drop the voltage from 240v to 8v – 12Volt a/c for safe operation.

All wired units can be extended with wireless units if a Wired to Wirefree Extender is connected into the wiring from the bell push button. All transformer powered models must operate between 8v - 12v ac and be supplied with 1 amp transformer. If 2 bells are operated on the same system, then the total current supplied will need to be 2 amps. It is important that bell wire or equivalent is used that can handle 1 amp (do not use Cat 5 or telephone cable) - we supply 9m lengths code 7200 on our website.