USNRET Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 (edited) So I know how a doorbell works. I know that the buttom simply completes the circuit between chime and transformer. My question is this: how can the button light illuminate (completing the circuit) without the chime sounding? My only guess is that the button light is not allowing enough current thru the filament to sound the chime. Thoughts? Edited July 31, 2014 by USNRET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I would think 2 circuits in the switch. One series (bulb), one switched series normally open (chime) that are parallel with each other. Where do you come up with these questions????LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 (edited) Single circuit, two wires and button contacts completing circuit from chime to transformer. Push button, light goes out and chime plays. Release button and light comes on, chimes silent. If you recall I had a middle of the night experience with doorbell ringing and no one pushing the button. Well it happened again and I found that the button contacts became fused burning out the chime electronics. I replaced the button and chime yesterday and began thinking of the circuity. Either the button contacts or lamp filament complete the circuit but chimes only thru button contacts........... Edited July 31, 2014 by USNRET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Yep, the light in the button is too low a current device to operate the chime. It is wired right across switch so when the switch is not pushed it has all the voltage across it and allows just enough current through to illuminate. When the button is pushed the light probably goes out because the voltage across the switch has gone close to zero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Makes sense. In my scenario, the light would be on at all times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Where do you come up with these questions???? Some people have real jobs; I eh, ponder things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnr Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 There you go, an application and reason to keep those maple RB-5's. Your new doorbell chimers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 One of my three doorbell switches corroded (2 years old) and the other was broken by the emergency people carrying out the bed. The new switches did not have the wire relief cut into the plastic so had to file one. The new screws were crap so I used the old ones. Maybe I shouldn't expect much at 6 bucks for each. (Zenith type) JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Mine lasted on average a year and a half to 2 years as they were in full afternoon sun and the plastic translucent button would crumble from the UV. My current one has a metal (I think) button and a LED halo around it. It seems to be holding up much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybobg Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Yes, a minute current goes through the light bulb but isn't large enough to activate the chime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 USNRET, Do you have any idea why the replaced one failed? Exposure to the elements/weather? Doorbell circuits are pretty simple. I am thinking if you have a voltmeter, check the voltage at the doorbell transformer(or across the open switch). It should be 24VAC nominal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 He's pretty close to salt water on the coast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 (edited) Exposure to the elements. Severe corrosive environment here surrounded on three sides by salt water withing 1 mile. Perhaps helped along by heavy kid hands on the button bending the thin contacts. Voltage is all good. I tried to get by last time so I wouldn't have to replace the switch and drill new holes in the brick. I just went ahead and replaced things this time. Needed a hammer drill anyway, right? Edited July 31, 2014 by USNRET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Gotcha. Sounds like you're all over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I have rentals. They beat the 'ell out these as well as the light switches in the house. Why would you punch a light switch so hard you crack the plate and break the switch? Hmmm... the one guy is a big football fan... maybe he throws a football to turn them off and on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 I will see my rental in August for the first time in 5 years I am sure it will be in perfect condition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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