Use a 20VAC trans for a 16VAC doorbell?

09-03-2012, 02:20 PM	#1
j_sun Member     Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 41	Use a 20VAC trans for a 16VAC doorbell? Hi, I picked up a new doorbell and it says it requires a 16VAC txfmr. The doorbell I am replacing uses a 20VAC one. Is there typically a tolerance on these doorbells or do I need to get the exact voltage they are saying? (Which, not surprisingly, seems to be only made by the same company) Thanks, Jason

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09-03-2012, 02:45 PM	#2
stickboy1375 E2 Electrician     Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Litchfield, CT Posts: 3,111	Use a 20VAC trans for a 16VAC doorbell? Quote: Originally Posted by j_sun Hi, I picked up a new doorbell and it says it requires a 16VAC txfmr. The doorbell I am replacing uses a 20VAC one. Is there typically a tolerance on these doorbells or do I need to get the exact voltage they are saying? (Which, not surprisingly, seems to be only made by the same company) Thanks, Jason If the manufacture says 16 VAC, then I would stick to that voltage. They probably know what they are talking about. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-03-2012, 03:00 PM	#3
ddawg16 JOATMON     Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: S. California Posts: 4,117	Use a 20VAC trans for a 16VAC doorbell? I agree with stickboy...... If it was 18Vac and you had a pretty good distance to go....ok....but at 20Vac.....unless you have small gauge wire..good chance the new door bell will not last long. __________________ Common Sense is like Deodorant. Those that need it the most don't use it. My To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ... To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. and To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-03-2012, 03:06 PM	#4
kbsparky Electrical Contractor     Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Delmarva Posts: 3,133	Use a 20VAC trans for a 16VAC doorbell? Are you sure your old transformer is 20 VOLTS and not 20 VA (watts)? __________________ -KB Life is uncertain -- eat dessert first!! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-03-2012, 03:11 PM	#5
stickboy1375 E2 Electrician     Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Litchfield, CT Posts: 3,111	Use a 20VAC trans for a 16VAC doorbell? Typical multitap transformer.. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-03-2012, 07:49 PM	#6
dmxtothemax Member   Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cairns Australia Posts: 1,439	Use a 20VAC trans for a 16VAC doorbell? You can use a resistor to drop that extra 4 volts ! But we need to know how much current the doorbell uses ? Do you know ?

09-04-2012, 12:28 AM	#7
Auger01 Member   Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 90	Use a 20VAC trans for a 16VAC doorbell? CLose enough for me. I bet you a doughnut that the "20 volt" transformer is at least 2 volts either way off of 20 volts.