Doorbell transformer buzz

[mike93lx]

My transformer is buzzing (not super loud, but you can hear it anywhere in the garage) even without either doorbell wire hooked up.

Is some hum normal or is the transformer going bad? Its been like this for a while (maybe as long as I have lived here... 8 years) and it is certainly original (50 years)

 

[TractorJeff]

A very slight hum is normal in cheaper Transformers or really large ones. A transformer is basically a coil of wire enveloped by a bunch of steel laminations. Normally the coil is wedged and the corners of the laminations are riveted. That small it shouldn't 60hz vibrate normally. Also it may be the mounting Bracket and whatever it is mounted to that is vibrating. If it is 50 years old, it may very well be slowly coming apart causing lamination or coil vibration. Is it Garage Journal fixable? Depends on how much effort you want to put into investigating the problem.

 

[Terry D]

It is the plates that have come loose on the coils. The noise that you are hearing is the plates vibrating. doorbell transformers are cheap, just simply replace it.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

You can spray it with a clear epoxy to stop the laminations from vibrating, BUT it would be less expensive to replace it....... Trip to the store to buy a <$20 transformer and Simple two wire install.

 

[mike93lx]

Thanks guys. Ordered one on Amazon for $15

 

[nadogail]

I was going to suggest the transformer be removed and dipped in a varnish tank, baked and reinstalled.

 

[mike93lx]

I was going to suggest the transformer be removed and dipped in a varnish tank, baked and reinstalled.

LOL. Chinesium to the rescue.

I would love to fix what I have instead of replacing it but sometimes it is just impractical. The house will be sold inside of two months. Most people would probably just disconnect it

 

[The Cobbler]

I installed a new transformer , bell & buttons, and the transformer hummed. drove the cat crazy. exchanged it for another one & problem solved. as mentioned, the plates are resonating

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

Cats deserve to be driven crazy.

 

[dogdog]

It's call "transformer delamination"

 

[baoser]

Learned something new today!

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

It "hums" because it doesn’t know the words to a song.

 

[jpickar]

It "hums" because it doesn’t know the words to a song.

YOu beat me to it!

 

[WES51]

We have the same buzzing issue.

I have already replaced the transformer, but the other one does the same. I have looked careful and made sure everything around it's mount was tight too. But still buzzing.

I did not want to spend more time on it as I already have, so I have disconnected it and we have no doorbell since.

Although, since now I have learned here about the epoxy method, I may give that one more try some day.

 

[mike93lx]

We have the same buzzing issue.

I have already replaced the transformer, but the other one does the same. I have looked careful and made sure everything around it's mount was tight too. But still buzzing.

I did not want to spend more time on it as I already have, so I have disconnected it and we have no doorbell since.

Although, since now I have learned here about the epoxy method, I may give that one more try some day.

Did you try disconnecting the wires out to the bell to see if it stops?

 

[WES51]

Did you try disconnecting the wires out to the bell to see if it stops?

No. Do you suggest the problem could be somewhere else other than the transformer?

 

[mike93lx]

No. Do you suggest the problem could be somewhere else other than the transformer?

Yes. Do them one at a time and see if it changes. Could be a short causing draw on the transformer. If you disconnect both wires and it still buzzes, you have your answer