Old doorbell electrics

[BILLDIYNOT]

I have a Friedland Westminster doorbell unit on my hallway wall. It appears to be a dated piece of equipment. Quite grand but not what I want. I took the wooden front off it and checked it with my Fluke tester and an electrician's screwdriver. Both indicate no power to the unit. I took it off the wall on this basis. There is text on the unit, inside, which states that there is a 16v transformer powering the unit. The disconnected wires run down a channel on the plaster. I have a wooden floor. Is it likely that the transformer is under the floor boards ? Logically, I would expect the wires to be connected to the transformer somewhere and the mains to be also connected to the transformer. This is the bit I am concerned about. I believe I need to ensure that the mains connection is safe before cutting the wires and burying them in the wall. Ideally I would like to find the transformer and safely disconnect that. Any advice or watchouts with what I am seeking to do would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Location?

Usually the doorbell transformer is adjacent to the fuse board/consumer unit. But not always…….

 

[OwainDIYer]

Under the floor is not impossible.

Do you still have a bell push at the front door; does that have a voltage, and if you short the push wires do you get a voltage at the bell terminals?

 

[ericmark]

Normally near or in the consumer unit. As said could be anywhere but that's normally where you find them.

 

[BILLDIYNOT]

OwainDIYer, there is a new wireless door bell with the plug in receiver/chime. There is no sign of a doorbell linked to the Friedland unit.

 

[OwainDIYer]

The only thing you can really do is trace the wires back. Using a toner may help to locate the route of concealed cables.

A Friedland Westminster sold on ebay for £32 quite recently.

 

[PBC_1966]

In (newer types) or close to the consumer unit, under the floor, in the attic, in a cupboard or similar "hidden" place, even above the front door and boxed in - There are numerous places used depending upon the installer's sense of aesthetics and the convenience of routing the bell wiring and obtaining power for the transformer.