Doorbell: Main Types And Designs, Their Pros And Cons, As Well As Installation Features

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Types of modern doorbells, features of their choice

There are different ways to announce the owners of the house that they have come to them: by shouting, knocking, or making a phone call. But the easiest way to do this is with a doorbell. Some people think that the device is not very important, and the necessary attention is not paid to its choice. But the choice of a doorbell must be approached with knowledge of the matter, for which you should first familiarize yourself with the existing types of equipment, know the advantages and disadvantages of such devices.

Content

• 1 Types of doorbells

  • 1.1 Wired bell

    1.1.1 Video: Wired Call

  • 1.2 Wireless bell

    1.2.1 Video: Wireless Call

  • 1.3 Video call at the door

    1.3.1 Video: video call

  • 1.4 Differences between apartment and street models
• 2 How to choose a doorbell

• 3 Installing the doorbell

  • 3.1 Connecting the doorbell
  • 3.2 Removing and replacing the bell
  • 3.3 Video: Installing the doorbell
• 4 Doorbell Reviews

Types of doorbells

More recently, when buying a doorbell, there was not much choice and you could purchase either an electromechanical model or an electronic device with a standard set of melodies. The modern industry does not stand still and this also applies to equipment such as a doorbell.

The modern doorbell has an original appearance, so it fits perfectly into any design

A modern doorbell not only notifies hosts about the arrival of guests: this multifunctional device also has other useful functions. To decide on the choice of a doorbell, you first need to find out what types of equipment exist, what are their differences, get acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of different models.

Wired bell

The simplest are the wired doorbell models. These devices represent an open electrical circuit. During its closure, such a bell makes a sound.

In turn, wired doorbells can be of two types.

1. Electromechanical. In this case, after pressing the bell button, power is supplied to the solenoid coil. The coil core is connected to the impact mechanism, which starts to move. The hammer strikes a metal plate, which creates a sound. Its strength will depend on the size of the resonator.

   

   Electromechanical bells have been used for a long time, they are gradually being replaced by more modern models.

2. Electronic. Such calls are similar to electromechanical ones, but differ in the internal filling. After power is applied, the sound is not created by the hammer hitting the plate, but by the electronic circuitry. This equipment has a set of different melodies, as well as the ability to adjust the sound volume.

   

   Unlike the electromechanical bell, electronic models have the ability to change the sound of the signal

Despite the differences in the design of electromechanical and electronic wire bells, they have the following advantages:

• reliability;
• long service life;
• affordable cost.

Among the main disadvantages of wired doorbells are the following:

• they require an electrical connection;
• to install such a device, you must invite an electrician or have the appropriate knowledge;
• it is necessary to lay wires, and for this you need to drill and groove the walls;
• electromechanical models have a uniform signal.

Another feature of wired doorbells is that their installation is best planned before finishing work or before installing the door, otherwise the damaged walls will have to be restored.

Video: wired call

Wireless call

Wireless calls are most often installed in private homes. This is due to the fact that the button is usually located on the entrance gate, and the device that makes the sound is in the house. In their principle of operation, they are similar to wired electronic models, but after pressing a button, a radio signal is transmitted to the device that emits a sound, which activates the call. Depending on the type of call, the button can be located at different distances, but usually it can be located at a distance of no more than 100 meters.

Wireless bell can usually operate up to 100 meters

If we talk about the power supply of such devices, then it can be carried out from rechargeable batteries or from batteries. There are models in which the button is battery operated, and the main unit is powered by the mains.

The main advantages of wireless doorbells:

• can work without being connected to a household power supply;
• have a sealed housing, therefore, are reliably protected from the negative effects of moisture;
• no wires are needed to install them;
• a high-quality device is tuned to a certain frequency, therefore, when the button is pressed, the alarm block from the neighbors is excluded;
• simple installation.

Among the disadvantages of this equipment are the following:

• limited coverage - the presence of obstacles between the button and the signal unit reduces the range of the device;
• at low temperatures, batteries and accumulators lose their capacity faster.

Video: wireless call

Video call at the door

Recently, video calls have become very popular. This is due to the fact that such equipment has a large number of advantages:

• the device allows not only to see the visitor, but also to talk with him without opening the door;
• it is possible not only to conduct remote monitoring, but also to record sound and video;
• the video call can work both from a household network and from batteries or accumulators;
• the presence of additional functions - remote opening of the lock, video recording, night illumination using infrared diodes, an answering machine, the ability to talk with the owner outside the house.

A video call allows you not only to hear that someone has come to you, but also to see the visitor without opening the door

A modern video call has the following configuration:

• communication channel, it can be either a special cable or a wireless connection;
• elements providing autonomous power supply;
• overhead panel with a call button and a speaker for communication with the owner of the house. Usually it is performed in a protective case;
• control panel with a screen;
• monitor. On some models, the image can be output to a TV or computer.

Previously, the doorbell body was placed in a plastic box that did not have a very attractive appearance, so that it had to be hidden from prying eyes. Now this equipment has a stylish modern design, so it not only fulfills its main functions, but is also an element of the hallway decor.

When buying a cheap video call model, remember that it will perform only basic functions, that is, beep and display the image on the screen

Video: video call

Differences between apartment and street models

Before you buy a doorbell, you need to decide whether you will install it in an apartment or on the street. Any wired or wireless option is suitable for installation in an apartment. If the installation of the call will be performed in a private house, then here you need to make the right choice, preference is usually given to wireless models.

When installing a call on the street, it will be negatively affected by external factors. One of the prerequisites for the bell button is the presence of a waterproof coating. In addition, such equipment must withstand both high and low temperatures, as well as its drops.

The street bell button must have a visor to protect it from rain and direct sunlight

To provide additional protection from sunlight, rain and dust on the outside elements of the doorbell, a special visor is installed above them. The presence of additional protective devices should not interfere with the quality of the signal that goes to the receiver. When choosing a street option, one should take into account the fact that it can be easily stolen. To exclude this possibility, it is better to purchase models with a metal anti-vandal case.

How to choose a doorbell

As we have already said, doorbells differ from each other in both the installation method and the appearance, as well as the device. When choosing such equipment, first of all, it is necessary to consider the following points:

• type of call. This is one of the determining factors. It is best to purchase modern models that have memory and the ability to download your favorite sound files. In this case, you can always choose exactly the melody that is currently popular and you like the most;
• the principle of signal transmission from the button to the call itself. It is necessary to decide which model is needed: wired or wireless. Any option can be installed in apartments, but in a private house, when the button and the bell are at a great distance from each other, they usually give preference to wireless calls;

• food. It can be carried out from the mains, batteries or accumulators. The equipment operating from the mains has a high power and ringer volume, but will not work in the absence of voltage. The disadvantage of autonomous power supply is that periodically you will have to change the batteries or charge the batteries;

  

  The main doorbell unit can be powered from the mains, and the button can be powered by batteries

• design and appearance. The doorbell performs not only its main function, but is also an element of decor, so it must be chosen taking into account the design of the house;
• radius of action. This parameter is important for wireless models: if you have a large area, then you need to choose a doorbell model of higher power;
• availability of additional functions. Modern video calls can not only notify by means of a sound signal, but also transmit an image, record sound and video, have an answering machine and many other features.

A modern doorbell is a rather complex device, which, in addition to notifying the hosts about the arrival of guests, has many other useful functions, so its choice must be approached carefully and responsibly

Installing a doorbell

If you decide to install a door lock yourself, then there is nothing difficult and any home craftsman can cope with this task. When performing installation work, certain rules must be followed, and if you are installing a wired model, then you must have skills in working with electricity.

Doorbell connection

The process of connecting a doorbell consists of several stages.

1. Preparation for installation. At this stage, it is determined whether a wired or wireless call will be established. In the case of a wired model, you need to calculate the required amount of cable and think over how it will be installed. The cable can be hidden in the wall or placed in a decorative box. For the doorbell, it is enough to purchase a two-core copper cable with a cross section of 1.5 mm ². At this stage, it is also determined with the installation location of the button and the notification device.

   

   When installing a wired model, first determine the required wire length

2. Call setup. When installing a wired doorbell in the wall using a puncher, grooves are created in which the cable will then be hidden. If the repairs in the house have already been completed, the cable is laid in a plastic box that is mounted on the wall. After that, the button and the doorbell itself are fixed.

   

   Using a puncher, grooves are created to hide the wire in the wall

3. Doorbell connection. First you need to turn off the electricity supply at home. After that, the cable is connected to the button, and then to the bell, and only then to the power supply system of the house or apartment. According to the connection diagram, the neutral wire is connected directly to the call from the apartment wiring, and the phase is connected to it through the button. When the button is pressed, the circuit is closed and the bell starts working.

   

   When the bell is connected, the phase is connected to the bell through the button, and "zero" is connected directly

Connecting wireless doorbell models is even easier. In this case, it is enough to simply fix the button and the bell body with self-tapping screws or double-sided tape. It remains to insert the batteries, and the bell is set.

Dismantling and replacing the bell

Although the doorbell is a reliable piece of equipment, sometimes it needs to be replaced. If it is necessary to carry out this with a wireless model, then no problems arise, it is enough to remove the failed button or the main unit and install new ones in their place.

If the button or the main unit of the wired call fails, there are usually no difficulties either. If the replacement is carried out for a similar model, then it is enough to remove the button and sound unit, and then disconnect them from the power supply. After that, according to the scheme described above, a new call is connected.

There are times when the wire is damaged. To fix this damage, you will have to remove the old wiring, and install the new wire in its place or lay nearby. If it is necessary to install an electronic model instead of an electromechanical bell, then a small problem may arise. This is due to the fact that in the first version, the power is supplied from the mains and the button is installed in the circuit, and most of the electronic calls run on batteries. To install a new button, you will need to carry out construction work, and this is not always possible, therefore, to use the old button, you will have to make certain changes:

• an electromagnetic bell is removed, and a device is installed in its place, which includes a step-down transformer, a rectifier and a relay;

• a new electronic bell is connected to the relay contacts. The transformer must provide a voltage on the secondary winding of the order of 10-12 V. This device is placed in a plastic case, installed next to the bell and connected to it using insulated wires.

  

  To connect the button from the electromagnetic bell to the electronic model, you must additionally install a step-down transformer, rectifiers and relays

Video: installing a doorbell

Doorbell Reviews

The modern doorbell is a real helper that keeps your home safe. In addition to its main task - notifying the hosts about the arrival of guests - it can have a number of additional functions that increase the practicality and comfort of its use. In addition, this equipment can also be an element of home decoration. Most models have the ability to record the melodies you like, which will match the owner's taste and emphasize his originality.