Posts: 1,688
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2001
Because of metal doors I cannot use a wireless doorbell (tried a couple of them).
Can doorbell wire (low-v, not the 120) be run on the surface without an encasement?
Mike
I work on the 50-50-90 rule: If there's a 50-50 choice, I'll pick the wrong one 90% of the time!
Posts: 18,975
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Ohio
11-11-2018, 07:58 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-11-2018, 07:59 PM by JosephP.)
Do you have to pull a permit to install a doorbell?
Would a WiFi doorbell (Ring or Nest, for example) work? Yes, it costs more, but not wires to run if you already have wifi within range.
Posts: 1,688
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2001
(11-11-2018, 07:58 PM)JosephP Wrote: Do you have to pull a permit to install a doorbell?
No.
Mike
I work on the 50-50-90 rule: If there's a 50-50 choice, I'll pick the wrong one 90% of the time!
Posts: 4,751
Threads: 0
Joined: Aug 2006
Interesting.
Our cordless door bell is outside a screened porch. The door to the house is steel, with 8" wide side lites on each side. Bell itself is about 30 feet inside the door.
Works fine.
I long for the days when Coke was a soft drink, and Black and Decker was a quality tool.
Happiness is a snipe free planer
Posts: 1,688
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2001
(11-11-2018, 08:09 PM)Pirate Wrote: Interesting.
Our cordless door bell is outside a screened porch. The door to the house is steel, with 8" wide side lites on each side. Bell itself is about 30 feet inside the door.
Works fine.
We have a double steel door, 15' of foyer, another double steel door, then 20' to the nearest outlet.
Mike
I work on the 50-50-90 rule: If there's a 50-50 choice, I'll pick the wrong one 90% of the time!
Posts: 18,975
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Ohio
(11-11-2018, 07:58 PM)JosephP Wrote: Do you have to pull a permit to install a doorbell?
(11-11-2018, 07:59 PM)Scouter Wrote: No.
What was your original question again???
Posts: 1,688
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2001
(11-11-2018, 08:44 PM)JosephP Wrote: What was your original question again???
Can doorbell wire (low-v, not the 120) be run on the surface without an encasement?
Mike
I work on the 50-50-90 rule: If there's a 50-50 choice, I'll pick the wrong one 90% of the time!
Posts: 1,590
Threads: 0
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Manassas, VA
I had to move to wireless after installing a storm door, since I could not effectively re-route the original hard wires.
The Home Depot models were poor and unreliable. I bought one online and it's been great, and it works with a steel door. They are also battery-powered only (C for the wall unit, and 2032 for the outdoor transmitter). No power required.
I'd recommend giving them a shot, since they're better than you think. You shouldn't have any problems running something like 24VAC exposed, but it won't look very nice.
Posts: 13,412
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Texas
Usually, under 30 volts is fine unprotected. Door bell transformers are 16 volt.
You can find inexpensive trim made just for wall exposed wiring at the box stores.
Posts: 64,681
Threads: 3
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Merryland
(11-11-2018, 06:50 PM)Scouter Wrote: Can doorbell wire (low-v, not the 120) be run on the surface without an encasement?
Yes