Checking if your existing doorbell wiring is compatible with Ring Video Doorbells
If you are considering hardwiring a Ring Video Doorbell, it is important to identify the type and specifications of your existing doorbell system. This will help you select the right Video Doorbell for your home.
Ring Video Doorbells are designed to be hardwired to low-voltage doorbell transformers. Power requirements vary between models. Find the power requirements for each Video Doorbell.
Note: In some countries, wired doorbells can operate on mains voltage, but Ring Video Doorbells are not compatible with mains voltage. Connecting your Ring Video Doorbell directly to the mains voltage will damage it.
WARNING: Electrical shock hazard. Disconnect power to the installation area at your circuit breaker or fusebox before beginning installation. Always use caution when handling electrical wiring.
Installation by a qualified electrician may be required in your area. Refer to your local laws and building regulations before performing electrical work; permits plus professional installation may be required by law.
How to identify the type and specifications of your existing doorbell system
Important: If at any point you are unsure, please contact a licensed electrician.
- Locate your existing doorbell chime by ringing your doorbell and following the sound.Note:If your doorbell doesn’t ring, you can still install your Ring Video Doorbell but your system may have electrical problems. If your Ring Video Doorbell doesn’t work properly once installed, consult a licensed electrician.
- Turn off the power at your consumer unit. If you're not sure which breaker controls your doorbell chime, turn off the master breaker for your home or contact a licensed electrician. Press your doorbell button to verify the power is off.
- After you've located your doorbell chime and turned off the power at the consumer unit, remove the cover from your chime.
- Identify whether your chime is mains voltage or has an integrated transformer. If there are thick blue and brown wires (sometimes also black and red) inside your chime, this is an indication that your chime is mains voltage. This will mean either the transformer is integrated into the chime or it is high voltage.
- Identify whether there is a transformer integrated in your chime. This will typically feature writing indicating a low voltage, such as 8V, 12V or 24V. See photo below for an example.
Chime with integrated transformer | Chime without integrated transformer |
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If your chime does not have an integrated transformer, it could either mean your transformer is installed in another location or you have a high voltage system. In the UK, it is unlikely that you will have a high voltage doorbell system. Your transformer will likely be in another location if it is not combined with your chime. In Europe, high voltage systems are common so take extra care and contact a licensed electrician if you are unsure.
If your transformer is elsewhere, it could be located in your consumer unit or mounted separately (see photos below for examples), and will often be labeled 8V, 12V or 24V.
Transformer in consumer unit | Separate transformer |
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6. Check the voltage of your transformer to see whether it is compatible with Ring Video Doorbells:
- Ring Video Doorbell Wired requires 8 to 24 VAC, 50/60Hz, 8VA to 40VA
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro and Ring Wired Video Doorbell Pro (formerly Video Doorbell Pro 2) require 16 to 24 VAC, 50/60Hz, 10VA to 40VA
- Ring battery doorbells require 8 to 24 VAC, 50/60Hz, 5VA to 40VA
For your safety, only use an existing doorbell transformer within the range specified above or compatible Ring accessories to power your device.
Ring accessories are sold separately and may include:
- DIN Rail Transformer (24Vdc, 420mA)
- Plug-In Adapter (24Vdc, 500mA)
- Solar Charger (5.2Vdc, 100mA or 109mA)
- Solar Panel (5Vdc, 380mA/480mA/800mA)
Using incompatible power sources can damage your device and cause electric shock.
You may have several values written on your transformer. To identify the VA (volts multiplied by amps), check the values for V and A.
In the photo above, the transformer is labeled 8V and 1.0A. Multiplied together, this is 8VA. This transformer is compatible with Ring Video Doorbell Wired since it falls within the specified range, but not Ring Video Doorbell Pro and Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2.
There are some chimes with integrated transformers which are not compatible with Ring Video Doorbells, such as Deta models like the example below.
Get specific instructions for how to hardwire your Ring Video Doorbell.