Stop Replacing Transformers - Save Your Money!!!! 

I just came across your channel after doing a repair on my IMA-4406. The reason for the repair was because I had noticed that when I tried to play an AM Radio in my house, or the Nutone, all I would get was a loud buzzing noise on the radio on the AM band. The FM wasn't as bad, but it was still not a clear FM signal. I also noticed that if I was to drive into my garage in a car with an AM station playing, that just as soon as I entered the garage I would get the same static noise I would hear on the Nutone. I didn't hear it driving away from the house. I could hear my Nutone transformers buzzing behind the wall, and it seemed they were getting louder. That was what I thought was the problem. In order to troubleshoot the radio buzzing problem, I shut off the power to the circuit that ran the Nutone. This fixed the buzzing noise on all of the radios in the house and the cars no longer had the same noise in the garage. Initially, I considered replacing the transformers, but they tested fine. I then decided to look at the Nutone Master Station a bit closer. Upon removing the unit from the wall, I noticed a voltage regulator had gotten quite hot, on what appeared to be the power supply section of the Master System. So hot that it was now standing at about a 45 degree angle to the circuit board, but it still had discolored the board where I think it used to be laying almost flat over, based on the discoloration of the board. It looks like it got so hot that it had also lifted the pads and traces on the soldered side a little bit. Being somewhat versed in electronics repair at the component level, I decided to check the rest of the components on that power supply circuit board. I found that most of the smaller E-Caps had failed, or were failing. I replaced all of the caps with quality replacements along with the voltage regulator. This completely solved the buzzing problem I had with the AM radio stations both inside and out in the garage. I also installed a TO-220 heatsink on the voltage regulator, which considerably reduced the heat from the regulator. The repair led me to another problem though and that was the remote stations now not working correctly. I found every single cap (100/6.3) on the remote wire board had high ESR, but within tolerance uF ratings, so I replaced those as well. Problem solved. I now have a functioning Nutone IMA-4406. I guess the point of my comment is to reinforce what you are saying about the transformers being replaced unnecessarily. Now, out of curiosity, I am off to watch some of your other videos that deal with the unit I have. 🙂

Changed out my friend's doorbell transformer today. It did the trick. I don't understand the above rant. They DO go bad at times, but it's always wise to check them with a multimeter before switching it out. It's true the good ol' American transformers from decades ago seldom went bad, but here on the West Coast we are using cheap Chinese parts and let's face it--- they don't last.

Very sound advice! Ok, my doorbell stopped working. Tested transformer and not voltage. Put in a new transformer - and immediately the chime started buzzing. A tug a war ensued between the chime and the new transformer. The chime got burned out and the new transformer (got a 30VA one!) was left standing. I am pretty sure the old transformer died because a short was developing in the chime. The old transformer didn't just die under normal operation. It was killed by the chime.

Installed a new doorbell and a new multi-level volt transformer, which lasted about a year. It slowly started to fail, then stopped working completely. It showed no voltage on the low end. So I bought a new transformer and wired it exactly as I had it before (I took pics before disassembling the first one) hooked up the new one, and nothing. I measured the voltage on the low end and got nothing. Measured the incoming and had the standard 120v. Ohms were measuring out of parameters on the device, too. Took it back and got a replacement measured the ohms to see if it was good (it was), hooked it up to the incoming power and measured the low end volts and it was showing the appropriate voltage (8/16/24) as per each set up. I had disconnected the door bell and those wires werent touching anything then I hooked up the low end service wires and within a few seconds double checked the voltage and this time it was zilch I disconnected the service wires and the dang tranformer was no longer with the living. I tried checking the service wires for a short and looked at the bell assembly to see if anything looked amise but... should I jist buy a new door bell, wires and transformer at this point?

If there is no power to the video doorbell and there was a buzzing sound from the chime? Could it actually be the transformer? And meaning no power in the sense the doorbell no longer lights up an rings. I also only had a 16 volt 10 VA an thinking of upgrading to a higher voltage transformer that can support a video doorbell.

I paid 380 just for them to tell me it might be a transformer and they wouldn’t tell me where the next transformer is unless I paid another 500 for them to find it because there was no power going to my chime box.

With all the times ive heard of people replacing the transformer when the issue is with the device itself i get how you feel, Crhis. When i come across a unit buzzing i immediately assume filter capacitors, an issue with the power supply, or something else. The only time i see it likely being the transformer is if there is no power at all, after checking for incoming voltage of course

I installed new nest doorbell it work from a bit then stop. Did the transformer blew? Not enough power to supply new camera doorbell?

I changed my mind of replacing the transformer after viewing your video. The door bell is from 1980s and the outer white button part just got worn out and only the small part of white 'button" left, but the door bell still rings. However, it starts having buzzing sound. Sometime the buzzing seems to stop. Do I have to turn off the circuit break before I touch the transformer? The transformer is installed with a hanging wire on the garage wall. I am thinking of replacing the door bell with a wireless doorbell so I don't have to deal with the transformer. However, I still have to cut off the electricity power up the transformer. Any idea what caused the buzzing? Will it cause any harm if I unscrew the transformer without turning off the circuit break? Can I just cut off the wires that connect to the transformer? any advice would be highly appreciated.

I have a buzzing doorbell chime box, do u think my doorbell went bad

So…. when I measure the voltage out of the transformer, and it reads zero, I figure it’s the transformer.

I have a nutone transformer and my ring doorbell wired said I needed a new transformer. Even though the model is listed as compatible

Just installed a Vivint doorbell. Doorbell doesn’t work at all. Tech guy said it’s the transformer. Going to do a multimeter test on it. Any tips

Can I use a 24v transformer on a 16v doorbell?

Hi. I don’t see the link to the multimeter transformer testing. Electrician says it’s the transformer. I have a multimeter

Hi Chris, thank you for this video. I have a question. I previously had a Skybell video doorbell (had it for only 4 years) which I had connected to my original Nutone Chimebox which came with the 14-year-old house. It all worked well until the skybell started to misbehave even though it still dinged the chimebox when pressed. It would sometimes ring continuously after its pressed. So, I decided to change the bell and got a lorex 2k wired video doorbell. Since connecting the new doorbell, the chime box has been humming with the 'pin' sort of vibrating constantly. When doorbell button is pressed, it does not hit the plate. I added the chime kit that came with the Lorex and there was no sound or humming either - seemed dead and so I took it out leaving only the original set up. The original chimebox transformer is specified as 16VAC which falls within recommended voltage for the doorbell. I was beginning to wonder if it was the transformer that failed the Skybell and is now failing the lorex but your video is suggesting otherwise...?

My transformer has been buzzing pretty darn loud for the last 25 years or so. Doorbell still works, but I am about ready to get rid of the buzzing... Though, it is mounted to the side of the breaker panel (installed 1975), so I have never replaced it (opening that panel to remove the transformer scares the pants off me)

So what you're saying is that I should definitely replace my transformer

So the issue with transformer is if it isn't high enough (volt) to handle the new camera/doorbell system?

I have a nutone k16 and my ring does not work with it

Need more honest people like you. there are scapegoats like this in most fields. the IT world has many, so many. some are used by us to dumb down things so its easier to digest. thats all in good faith no shenanigans but I was taught the honest way. we are a rarity. I say dumbed down, thats just colloquial jargon. I dont look down at people like that. burns my ass when ppl are taken advantage of.

Changed my transformer yesterday. It was a new one. I had replaced it because I was working on the doorbell system and I thought let's change it anyway. Granted, it's probably my fault, probably shorted something while working on it. Anyway, the secondary gives me no voltage but small resistance. Primary gives me infinite resistance. Changed it again for the perfectly working old one. Problem fixed. If it burns again, I'll look at my brand new chime.

Lol, I loved your rant and appreciate you trying to save people money! But I also have a question that I’m hoping you could help me with. I have spent all day trying to hook up my Ring Pro Doorbell, and although the video and everything came up fine as far as I could tell, there was a terrible buzzing in the doorbell casing on the wall in the hallway. It was so loud and was not only driving me crazy, but I was afraid it was going to start a fire or some thing, so I unhooked it. I did hear, and read that you should have graded the transformer to16 to 24 volt... something like that, don’t quote me but I know it requires you to upgrade. Is that what is causing the buzzing? Or is there another explanation? Would be so grateful if you could help. Thanks!

I think I need to punish my transformer. Multimeter tested 120V into the transformer. 0 on the output of the transformer. Should I execute the transformer?

I need to change sir… , bc my transformer has not enough voltage for my video Ring camera.

I'm installing a ring but it seems I need to upgrade

I had a question. Every time I hook up a transformer green with ground, white with white and black with black. My transformer gets hot and burns out. I’m not sure what is going on. I’ve already been through 3 transformers.

Is buzzing normal

I'm proud of you for moving to Tennessee!

I changed my transformer to 30 VA from 10VA, worked for my nest doorbell! I don't know why you made this video?

Wow man. THE RANT. Just replace the transformer!

It's a rant. I didnt learn much. Oh yeah its probly not a transformer problem. I wondered what volt specs might be for the transformer

NuTone, is it a Scovill?

thanks friend you saved me money I have a 1936 house but the electricity box had a buzzing sound, I changed the beaker of the doorbell and the sound the same the doorbell sounds good and the button also that I thought what happened the transformer emits vibration and that's what It happens that the electrical box has the sound because my transformer is under the electrical box.

This video is crazy. Lol transformers blow all the time. Literally receiving zero volts at the doorbell. Replacing Transformer fixes issue 95 percent of the time lol

I got the transformer for free from Amazon

So why does mine hum the min I hook up power to the transformer no wires hooked to it ?