Wired Ring doorbell

JRJ · 2 Jan 2022 at 12:10

I've dropped in some 6 core alarm cable to power a wired Ring doorbell, no chime I'll be using various Dot's around the house so direct run to the transformer and back to the CU. Originally I planned on putting the transformer in a Din box just inside the garage and about 2.5-3M from the actually doorbell and then larger cable back to the CU, the 6 core is still on the reel uncut and the new front door arrives next week before the plasterer makes good.

I would like to run the cable directly back to the CU and skip the separate Din box and have the transformer fitted to the main CU, but cant find an accurate calculation for the length of the run, cable is 24AWG I believe and the run is no longer than 10M, I've got an opportunity to change the cable size before the doors fitted but also don't want to go too big as the connections on the doorbell are tiny.

Anyone able to help?

Steeps · 2 Jan 2022 at 14:32

Not sure if this is any use to you but my new build used 1 pair of Cat5 per terminal on the standard doorbell on a run that's probably 12m+ to the old 6v chime, I replaced it with a 24v 1.25ah transformer using the existing wiring and its working fine. It's reporting a voltage of 19v which it seems happy with.

JRJ · 3 Jan 2022 at 11:07

Steeps said:
Not sure if this is any use to you but my new build used 1 pair of Cat5 per terminal on the standard doorbell on a run that's probably 12m+ to the old 6v chime, I replaced it with a 24v 1.25ah transformer using the existing wiring and its working fine. It's reporting a voltage of 19v which it seems happy with.

Much appreciated, I've only got Cat 6 in the house so went with the alarm cable for a bit more flexibility but your answer sounds promising as their both very similar gauge, I may just order the transformer and set it up in the main CU and test the voltage.

Participant · 4 Jan 2022 at 07:21

I've got easily ten metres of tiny two-core bell cable running from my 24V / 8VA AC transformer in the CU to my Ring Wired doorbell and have no issues.

The Ring reports 30V.

I believe the voltage drop in this scenario is nearly irrelevant even with small cable, because the Ring has a large range of working voltage and possibly something to do with the low overall power requirements, but I can't remember the physics.

JRJ · 5 Jan 2022 at 17:34

Sounds good to me, out of interest which transformers are you using? Toolstation etc have them but take up 2 spaces on the CU, Amazon have a Ring specific one but only takes up a single space but triple the price.

Participant · 6 Jan 2022 at 06:18

JRJ said:
Sounds good to me, out of interest which transformers are you using? Toolstation etc have them but take up 2 spaces on the CU, Amazon have a Ring specific one but only takes up a single space but triple the price.

British General Fortress job from Screwfix, about £9.

Also a Wylex DIN housing, about tree fiddy. I actually have it attached right next to the cu as the old transformer wiring took it there.

Robbo · 12 May 2022 at 21:03

Just to bump this.

I currently have a DETA C3504 doorbell + chime and want to swap it for a Ring Wired, just the standard £50 one.

Am I right in thinking I need to replace the DETA chime box with a transformer, I can't just swap the doorbell itself as it won't have sufficient power...? Not bothered about the chime working (I know they don't with the cheaper Ring wired).

JRJ · 13 May 2022 at 09:38

My own update to this, I ended up going with Rings own transformer as it was the only single din one i could find, double the price but works superbly voltage readings are all good and just the one cable from doorbell to CU.

@Robbo I've since done my father in law's, I ignored all the bypass stuff he wasn't fussed on having the bell ringer, we emptied all the workings out and used the housing to hide the transformer and it works great.