Are doorbell buttons standard items?

supabeast

I need to replace a doorbell button that someone bashed in with a hard object. Are these buttons a standard item that I can just grab at a hardware store and replace, or will I need to take the doorbell apart to find out what brand to get? Also, do I need to cut the power just to replace the button, or can I just swap it without even going into the house?

Improvolone

Doorbells are pretty cheap so you probably need a new one flat out.
Does it still work?

Falx

If you aren't sure, it's always best to cut the power.

Ruckus

You'll most likely have to by an entire "Doorbell push button", about $6, which usually includes a plastic mounting bracket that screws on to the wall and a cover/button that snaps on to the bracket. All the wiring in the doorbell push button is low voltage (<30V), and it should only be two wires, one screw terminal for each, and it probably doesn't matter which goes where.

EggyToast

If you have a basic one the hardware should all be standard. For a safeguard, take the one you've already got to the store -- you'll have to take it off anyway to put the new one on.

Veevee

Ruckus wrote: »

You'll most likely have to by an entire "Doorbell push button", about $6, which usually includes a plastic mounting bracket that screws on to the wall and a cover/button that snaps on to the bracket. All the wiring in the doorbell push button is low voltage (<30V), and it should only be two wires, one screw terminal for each, and it probably doesn't matter which goes where.

Doesn't matter which goes where as pushing the button just closes the circuit. There are lighted doorbell buttons where the wiring does matter, but those run for more than just $5 or $6.

If you want to ghetto-fy your house, just leave the wires exposed and have your guests connect the wires to make the doorbell ring.

Doc

Veevee wrote: »

Ruckus wrote: »

You'll most likely have to by an entire "Doorbell push button", about $6, which usually includes a plastic mounting bracket that screws on to the wall and a cover/button that snaps on to the bracket. All the wiring in the doorbell push button is low voltage (<30V), and it should only be two wires, one screw terminal for each, and it probably doesn't matter which goes where.

Doesn't matter which goes where as pushing the button just closes the circuit. There are lighted doorbell buttons where the wiring does matter, but those run for more than just $5 or $6.

If you want to ghetto-fy your house, just leave the wires exposed and have your guests connect the wires to make the doorbell ring.

Or if you want to class it up, make it a velvet rope hanging from above the door that they pull to ring the doorbell.

embrik

Doc wrote: »

Veevee wrote: »

Ruckus wrote: »

You'll most likely have to by an entire "Doorbell push button", about $6, which usually includes a plastic mounting bracket that screws on to the wall and a cover/button that snaps on to the bracket. All the wiring in the doorbell push button is low voltage (<30V), and it should only be two wires, one screw terminal for each, and it probably doesn't matter which goes where.

Doesn't matter which goes where as pushing the button just closes the circuit. There are lighted doorbell buttons where the wiring does matter, but those run for more than just $5 or $6.

If you want to ghetto-fy your house, just leave the wires exposed and have your guests connect the wires to make the doorbell ring.

Or if you want to class it up, make it a velvet rope hanging from above the door that they pull to ring the doorbell.

Do this.
Or do two ropes - one rings the bell, the other drops foreign substances on their heads, make sure they're labeled backwards... (okay, maybe not).

Anyway, it's a good idea to cut the power even if it's low voltage. You never know if it was properly wired, and there might be some other wires in there. Always be safe around electricity.

supabeast

Thanks guys. I think total repair time added up to about five minutes, counting the trip to the hardware store.