A smart doorbell such as Ring is incredibly practical and easy to use, not to mention safe.
However, sometimes just one doorbell isn’t enough, no matter how advanced.
If you need another doorbell, you might be wondering if the one transformer you have can support it.
One transformer can easily support multiple doorbells, but it needs to be powerful enough. Transformers are necessary to lower the voltage for doorbells to work. You should check the voltage and amperage rating of your existing transformer to see if it is suited for more than one doorbell.
If you’re unsure what to do, read the rest of this article.
I will explain how you can install two or more Ring doorbells on one transformer and give you all the information you need about the type of transformer you should get.
Can I Install Two Ring Doorbells Using One Transformer?
Let’s say you already have a smart doorbell like a Ring on your front door, but you want a chime for another part of your house.
Your first idea would probably be to install the new doorbell by connecting it to the existing transformer.
However, most of the time, the existing transformer can’t handle multiple Ring doorbells, leading people to believe that every Ring needs its own transformer.
In reality, you don’t need multiple transformers; you only need a more powerful one.
One powerful transformer can support multiple Ring doorbells and cameras with no problem.
All you need to do is find a powerful transformer and ensure the wiring is correct.
As long as you know what transformer you should get, you can connect doorbells and chimes easily.
Why Do I Need a Transformer in the First Place?
No matter how many or what kind of doorbells you have, you need a transformer.
The transformer is necessary to convert line voltage, usually 120 V in the United States, to low voltage, which is generally 16 V.
Doorbells are typically low-voltage devices, so they require a transformer to work.
You already have one in your house if you got a working doorbell.
If you’re installing your doorbell for the first time, you will have to buy the transformer.
Without this device converting line voltage to low voltage, the doorbell doesn’t work.
What Kind of Transformer Do I Need for Multiple Ring Doorbells?
There are two main aspects that you should consider when choosing a transformer that can handle multiple Ring doorbells: the voltage and the amperage.
Knowing the power and voltage the different Ring doorbells, chimes, or cameras require, you can choose the transformer that suits you best.
Transformer Voltage
Depending on the type, one Ring doorbell may require a voltage of 5 to 10 V, although some Ring Pros require even higher voltages.
If you already have a doorbell, you can check your current transformer and see the voltage that it supports.
Naturally, two or more doorbells require a transformer that can handle larger voltages. Generally speaking, a 16V or 24V transformer should handle two Ring doorbells.
Transformer Amperage Rating
However, you should also check the amperage of the transformer.
A typical doorbell draws somewhere between 5 and 10 VA, but when you’ve got two or more, you have to account for the extra power that needs to be drawn.
This doesn’t mean you should add the power each doorbell requires to conclude the amperage of the transformer you need.
A 10VA and another 15 VA doorbell may work just fine with a 15 VA transformer.
For more advanced doorbells, you may need a transformer with a higher amperage rating.
Depending on what versions of Ring doorbells you’re getting, you’ll need different transformers.
For instance, if one of your doorbells is a Ring Pro, you should look for transformers with high voltage and amperage ratings since just one Ring Pro by itself requires a more powerful transformer.
Here are some transformers that can handle multiple doorbells (available on Amazon):
- MAXDOT 24V 40VA Transformer
- MAXDOT 16v 30va Hardwired Door Chime Transformer
- CINCHDONE 24V 40VA Thermostat and Doorbell Transformer
Installing Multiple Ring Doorbells
Once you’ve chosen all the doorbells that need to be set up and the transformer that can support them, you can begin installing them.
First, you must figure out the wiring, ensuring all your doorbells are wired and connected correctly to the transformer.
Secondly, you need to set up all the devices on your Ring app to ensure you have access to them and can control each separately.
Once you figure out the wiring and set up the devices on your Ring app, the physical installation of the doorbells can begin.
Positioning and Wiring
Setting up and installing multiple doorbells is not easy.
You need to make sure the wiring is correct so that all the devices work properly.
Sometimes the transformer is just right, but the faulty wiring may cause your doorbells not to work.
Fortunately for you, Ring has a solution for every wiring problem you may face.
There are several different wiring diagrams that help you set up your doorbells and the transformer.
You’ll see that every possible scenario is included, with varying combinations of different versions of doorbells, chimes, and cameras.
Setting Up Multiple Doorbells and Cameras in the Ring App
To set up the different doorbells that you’re using, you should repeat the same procedure for every one of them:
- Go to the Ring app.
- Select “Set Up a Device.”
- A list of different ring devices will appear; choose the one you’re setting up.
- You will be asked to ID your doorbell using a QR code or a Mac ID; you can find it on the back of the doorbell or in the box it came in.
- Confirm your location.
- Go to Custom and name your device so that you can recognize it.
Physical Installation
After planning the wiring of all the devices and setting up the doorbells on the app, you can start installing all your doorbells and chimes.
How you’ll install them depends entirely on the type of Ring doorbell you’re using.
Ring has an excellent support site with instructions for every kind of doorbell.
You can always check the installation guide if you’re not sure you’re doing it right.
How Many Ring Doorbells Can I Have on One Transformer? To Conclude
When you install multiple doorbells in addition to your existing one, you may notice that your transformer can no longer support these devices.
This doesn’t mean you need as many transformers as doorbells; this just means you need a more powerful transformer.
Generally, a transformer can have multiple doorbells with no problem if it’s got the right voltage and amperage rating.