Third Solution Anyone ?

Paul N · Mar 19, 2021

Hi All,

I would like to have a Ring Video Doorbell fitted to my garage - the version 2 which runs directly off the hard wired doorbell.

The Issue

I don't have a doorbell at present and the garage Consumer Unit (see pic) is full. I have been provided with the following advice;

Solution 1 (The costly one)
Have a larger CU installed and have a Wylex Bell transformer attached to the Din Rail so that the bell wire runs directly to the Ring device.

Solution 2 (The budget one)
Add a separate feed to the existing lighting MCB and then to a wall mounted bell transformer and onwards to the Ring device.

My questions are:

1. Is there an advantage to having a bell transformer within the CU ?

2. The 16amp MCB (wall sockets and door opener) in the CU already has two separate feeds into it as there wasn't enough room in the box when the electrician originally fitted them, so I'm presuming (NEVER PRESUME !!) that 'doubling up' would be ok for the 6amp lighting MCB ?

3. Is there a Third solution (without opting for a wireless Ring Device) ?

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Paul

loz2754 · Mar 19, 2021

Yes, another 2 module enclosure next to the one in your picture that will contain the doorbell transformer. Fed directly from the lighting MCB.

telectrix · Mar 19, 2021

tap into the lighting MCB and fit a stand alone transformer.

loz2754 · Mar 19, 2021

As @telectrix says. But if using the Ring transformer, it has no terminal covers, hence the reason for a separate enclosure.

littlespark · Mar 19, 2021

The transformer doesn’t have to go at the CU.... fused outlet off the socket circuit, or tapped off at a light switch (if you have live and neutral)

I can’t believe the transformer that comes with Ring has exposed terminals

loz2754 · Mar 19, 2021

littlespark said:
I can’t believe the transformer that comes with Ring has exposed terminals

I've fitted a few and it's true. Their design assumes that it will go into a consumer unit.

littlespark · Mar 19, 2021

So we can put a ring transformer in a Cu, but not an mcb from a different manufacturer of the CU???

mans we need 2, 3 spare ways?

loz2754 · Mar 19, 2021

littlespark said:
So we can put a ring transformer in a Cu, but not an mcb from a different manufacturer of the CU???

mans we need 2, 3 spare ways?

Yes. Any DIN standard device can be fitted into any DIN rail consumer unit, as it is not fitted to the bus bar.

littlespark · Mar 19, 2021

loz2754 said:
Yes. Any DIN standard device can be fitted into any DIN rail consumer unit, as it is not fitted to the bus bar.

But you might have to cut the busbar to make it fit.... isn’t that altering original parts?

im not trying to disagree with anything here.... just devils advocate.

loz2754 · Mar 19, 2021

littlespark said:
But you might have to cut the busbar to make it fit.... isn’t that altering original parts?

im not trying to disagree with anything here.... just devils advocate.

Cutting a bus bar is something you have to do in many consumer units anyway.

Paul N · Mar 19, 2021

telectrix said:
tap into the lighting MCB and fit a stand alone transformer.

Hi Telectrix,

Thank you for your advice - very helpful.

Regards,

Paul

Paul N · Mar 19, 2021

loz2754 said:
Cutting a bus bar is something you have to do in many consumer units anyway.

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to explain about the DIN rail transformers I hadn't thought about checking them for being standardised fits, this would save a lot as the prices are very different between Wylex and e.g. BG. Thanks once again Paul