Doorbell transformer

cpamba

Hooked up an new transformer and it tested fine at about 15v. When I hook up the doorbell wires to it, the power stops completely (no reading of power). When I unhook the doorbell wires, power comes back at a perfect 15v. Could this be caused by a faulty chime or actual doorbell buttons being bad? Something had to have caused the system to stop working in the first place, I just assumed it was a bad transformer. Sometimes I wish I was an electrician and understood this seemingly simple stuff better.
Thanks.....

curiousB

sounds like a short in the wiring. Maybe its been miswired. Check wiring at doorbell and at switch.

oleguy74

Disconnect wires at chime.push button see if voltage goes away.if ok bad chime.

Wildie

Its very likely that a defective door button, (permanently operated) caused the coil in the chime to over-heat and burn out.
If you remove the door button you should be able to measure the transformer voltage across the two wires.
If the chime is OK or shorted the voltage will be seen at the door button wires. If the chime coil is open no voltage will be seen at the button.
Its quite likely that you will have to replace the chime and the button.

joecaption

Or just replace it with a wireless one.
No more wires, or transformers to worry about.