Swapping doorbell transformer. DIY or certified?

Paul Bunce · 22 Jul 2019

I have just moved into a new build that has a mains powered door bell. There is a transformer on the buss bar in the consumer unit outputting 12v @ 15VA.
Now I would like to have a Ring doorbell Pro which requires 24v @ 30VA. Handily enough the doorbell comes with new transformer in the box.
So down to the main question, can I swap the transformer or do I need certification?

bernardgreen · 22 Jul 2019

The DIN rail mounable transformer supplied will almost certainly fit mechanically into a consumer unit that has a DIN rail ( not all do ).

How it is connected to the mains supply in the CU may not be the same your existing transformer. You will need a competent person to exchange the transformer in the consumer unit.

Personally I would fit the new tranformer externally to the CU in

LINK
and supply it from a 13 amp plug fitted with a 1 amp fuse.

That can be done as a DIY project, working inside a consumer unit is NOT for the average DIYer.

Paul Bunce · 22 Jul 2019

So just to clarify, I already have a transformer in my consumer unit on the rail with all the other house mcb’s. I’m confident in changing it (I’m an electrical engineer in the aviation industry). I just want to make sure I can legally change it as it’s a like for like swap, the only difference is the transformer will output 24v instead of 12v.

ericmark · 22 Jul 2019

Forget about law, think of your own safety, the consumer unit is a type tested distribution unit, the type testing is to ensure safe for use by ordinary person, however to retain the type testing label it can only be populated with devices authorised by the manufacturer, and simply not fitting an internal guard can mean no longer technically a consumer unit, and so although it should be safe to open, that does not mean it is safe to open. And even if you can do it safely the new unit unless same make as consumer unit could remove the type testing.

ericmark · 22 Jul 2019

Paul Bunce said:
So just to clarify, I already have a transformer in my consumer unit on the rail with all the other house mcb’s. I’m confident in changing it (I’m an electrical engineer in the aviation industry). I just want to make sure I can legally change it as it’s a like for like swap, the only difference is the transformer will output 24v instead of 12v.

I have seen no rules about changing bits within an English CU, you can't change the whole unit, and you can't add circuits, but in England nothing to stop you going inside.

EFLImpudence · 22 Jul 2019

The only laws involved in England, none of which are concerning what you want to do -

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/3119/regulation/6/made

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Swapping doorbell transformer. DIY or certified?

Paul Bunce

bernardgreen

Paul Bunce

ericmark

ericmark

EFLImpudence

DIYnot Local

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