I have a tough electrical question for wiring a bell in my house.?

Question

I have a bell that requires 115 volts and draws 5 amps that I got at a fire station.  I want to use it as my doorbell.  I already have a doorbell.  I want to use the existing button but wire it to the new bell.  Is there a relay or something I need to go in between?  I was thinking something that when I pushed the door bell it would trip a switch to allow 115 volts to go through the bell.  That way only 10-24 volts goes through the button and it doesn't have many amps going through it.

Do you know what I mean???

Please help  

I was afraid that I would burn up the wiring going to the button or electricute somebody if I had 115 volts running through the button.

John himself · Accepted Answer

You need to wire a 120 volt contactor with a 24 volt coil into the door bell circuit. The 120 volts through the contacts will ring the bell. I'd get an electrician to do this safely and correctly.

Jim W · Answer

You are correct that the push button should stay at the 12/24 volts, also a relay of the same voltage can be used in place of your existing doorbell to turn the fire bell on when the button is pushed.  Before you do this I suggest you test the bell and be sure you want a FA bell for a door bell. Depending on the diameter of the bell itself, it will be loud to extreme.  I would advise against it.

alphadog · Answer

you need an ice cube relay with a 12v coil.  use a PVC box big enough to hold the relay, mount the relay to the back. take the two low voltage wires that are now going to the old doorbell an wire them to the coil of the relay. now when the db button is pushed it will control the relay. next you need to run a 115v circuit to the box. land the hot on the common of the relay. you now need wire to the bell. wire the bell, make sure to ground it . in the relay box land the hot to the bell on the normally open side of the relay. wire nut the 2 neutrals together, and wire nut the grounds together. since you use a PVC box you do not need to ground the box.

that's the simple version . be safe

Nightrider · Answer

You are absolutely correct. That much voltage would be a hazard going into a normal door bell. You need a power converter placed inline between the door bell and the button itself. The only problem is the voltages are not in the average range of most converters. I would suggest stopping at a local electrical supply house ( not Loews or Home Depot) and discussing the voltages with them. I am sure they would have something you can wire inline that would be safe to use. Best of luck and I hope this can be useful to you

John H · Answer

Yes you can do what you are thinking.  A relay activaed by the lower voltage will prevent the overload of the smaller (22g) wire that is usually run to the door.  In fact, that is basically what your original doorbell is doing.  Take a look at he wiring in the doorbell you have and it will provide the quidance you need.

DAVE W · Answer

Door bells are low voltage and the existing wire will melt along with the button, you need to re-wire and get a switch/ button to handle it.

calkm01 · Answer

Listen to Alpha- ignore the rest, they are only guessing. If you still can't figure it out call an electrician. 
  Trust me - Chicago electrician 22 yrs.

bigg_dogg44 · Answer

i'm think that u would need to step down the voltage like u think from high voltage to low voltage( what a reg door bell works on) but man that is going to be one loud door bell!  yes u can get it stepped down but u need to contact a good trusted electrician that u know that he know what he is doing.....


lic. gen. contractor

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I have a tough electrical question for wiring a bell in my house.?

8 Answers