Unidentified Electrical

[jwslam]

Anyone know what this is? Found in a condo laundry room near the electrical panel

[danno]

Transformer, for furnace or door bell

[RealJimmyJames]

a trap

[sputnik]

Looks like a doorbell transformer to me.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Yeah in a condo it's gotta be a doorbell transformer. LV for thermostat would run from the central furnace, assumably.

[jwslam]

Originally posted by danno
Transformer, for furnace or door bell
Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat
Yeah in a condo it's gotta be a doorbell transformer. LV for thermostat would run from the central furnace, assumably.
Condo is baseboard heated so I don't think it's furnace. If it's doorbell, that explains why the doorbell doesn't work. But there's a doorbell-like box over the thermostat on another wall.... super confused.

[suntan]

Probably more than meets the eye.

[Thaco]

probably the old doorbell, instead of properly removing it they just put a new one in.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by jwslam

Condo is baseboard heated so I don't think it's furnace. If it's doorbell, that explains why the doorbell doesn't work. But there's a doorbell-like box over the thermostat on another wall.... super confused.

The doorbell transformer is a separate item from the doorbell chime (the box you described) and not usually in the same place. The transformer steps your 120V house power down to the ~12V the doorbell chime uses. That power feeds the chime and the doorbell switch completes the 12V circuit to activate the chime.

Take a multimeter, check voltage across the exposed terminals on the transformer. If it's ~12V, the transformer is fine and your problem lies elsewhere. If it's zero, the transformer needs replacing or is not receiving power. If it's 120V, you're testing the wrong pair of terminals.

[Crazyjoker77]

**edit double post

[Crazyjoker77]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat


The doorbell transformer is a separate item from the doorbell chime (the box you described) and not usually in the same place. The transformer steps your 120V house power down to the ~12V the doorbell chime uses. That power feeds the chime and the doorbell switch completes the 12V circuit to activate the chime.

Take a multimeter, check voltage across the exposed terminals on the transformer. If it's ~12V, the transformer is fine and your problem lies elsewhere. If it's zero, the transformer needs replacing or is not receiving power. If it's 120V, you're testing the wrong pair of terminals.

Its actually 24Vac and under 100VA for it to meet code for class 2(b) wiring.

Code 16-200(b)

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by Crazyjoker77


Its actually 24Vac and under 100VA for it to meet code for class 2(b) wiring.

Code 16-200(b)

Sure, for new builds. OP's looks pretty old and is fairly likely to be a 12-16V system.

At any rate, testing a transformer is usually a go/no-go thing. Either it's putting out proper voltage or it's stone dead.

[rx7_turbo2]

Nailed the install!

Likely doorbell transformer, as has been mentioned.

[jwslam]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat
Sure, for new builds. OP's looks pretty old and is fairly likely to be a 12-16V system.
1980's building; most of it is reno'ed though, or looks like it.

Just recalled the doorbell is lit, so it's getting power, just not chiming.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by jwslam

1980's building; most of it is reno'ed though, or looks like it.

Just recalled the doorbell is lit, so it's getting power, just not chiming.

Try removing the doorbell button from the wall and touching the two wires together that are connected to it. If that rings the bell, you just have a faulty switch.

[mr2mike]

It's probably for hidden cameras in all the suites.
Put a small TV with RCA cable's against the screws and you'll see.

:poosie:

Is it your building? Why are you messing with it if you're not?

[jwslam]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat
Try removing the doorbell button from the wall and touching the two wires together that are connected to it. If that rings the bell, you just have a faulty switch.
Will try that when I get a chance. Thanks :thumbsup:

[relyt92]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat


Try removing the doorbell button from the wall and touching the two wires together that are connected to it. If that rings the bell, you just have a faulty switch. Not trying to hijack the thread, but I can never find good results when I search for it. What's the general cause if a doorbell works but is really quiet? Doorbell is likely original from the late 80's.

[Crazyjoker77]

Originally posted by relyt92
Not trying to hijack the thread, but I can never find good results when I search for it. What's the general cause if a doorbell works but is really quiet? Doorbell is likely original from the late 80's.

Plunger in the chime is likely gummed up or the chime popped out of one of the rubber grommets.

other less likely options:
- 24v chime being used on a 16v transformer.
- high resistance in the switch or wiring (poor connection or corrosion at a splice)

[EK 2.0]

I think it is a doorbell transformer....