Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Door Bell Ringing
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Siafu42
11-30-07, 10:08 AM
I have moved into an older home. The doorbell chimes at odd times with no one at the door. The chime unit is plugged into an outlet, so it is not run on batteries. Could the signal from the router cause this? If so, why does it not happen everytime I turn the computer on?
core
11-30-07, 10:55 AM
Is this a wireless doorbell or a regular one?
Siafu42
11-30-07, 07:34 PM
Is this a wireless doorbell or a regular one?
It is a wireless.
It is a wireless.
core
11-30-07, 08:06 PM
Well, it really could be anything then, including a neighbor's device.
I can safely say your wireless router wouldn't be causing it because that operates way up in the frequency spectrum and your doorbell [likely] does not. This is under the assumption that you don't have the router right next to the chime.
Since I'm sure this doesn't happen too frequently, tracking down the source of the interference would be extremely time-consuming. If your unit has selectable channels, change it. Otherwise you could start by eliminating all transmitters in your house: Unplug all cordless phones, etc. Notice I did say "could".
I think given the fuss involved you'd just be better off buying another doorbell which is more resistant to stray noise, unless you're attached to that one for some reason.
I can safely say your wireless router wouldn't be causing it because that operates way up in the frequency spectrum and your doorbell [likely] does not. This is under the assumption that you don't have the router right next to the chime.
Since I'm sure this doesn't happen too frequently, tracking down the source of the interference would be extremely time-consuming. If your unit has selectable channels, change it. Otherwise you could start by eliminating all transmitters in your house: Unplug all cordless phones, etc. Notice I did say "could".
I think given the fuss involved you'd just be better off buying another doorbell which is more resistant to stray noise, unless you're attached to that one for some reason.
Integrator97
11-30-07, 10:23 PM
If it is in fact wireless, it should have at least 2 channel settings, as core said.
Or it actually could be as simple as moving it to another outlet. This sometimes works with x10 or more specifically, powerline carrier devices. I'm assuming that may be what you have. If so, your getting a false signal, from any number of things.
Or it actually could be as simple as moving it to another outlet. This sometimes works with x10 or more specifically, powerline carrier devices. I'm assuming that may be what you have. If so, your getting a false signal, from any number of things.
core
12-01-07, 12:01 AM
Heh back up there Integrator I didn't say it "should" have 2+ channels.
I'm thinking back to the $9.95 cheapie that I bought last year for someone who needed it.... Infomercial-type brand, no channels, no nothing.
You bring up X10. I had not thought of this. I suppose it's entirely possible the OP has an X10 chime. But this should not cause false trips on the powerline end: The button sends RF to the transciever, then it's all powerline after that. As you well know. At the powerline level X10 devices are downright picky and tend not to false trip -- but they also tend to reject legit signals altogether. _That's_ where moving it would help -- when you're not getting your devices to respond.
I also find it hard to believe the previous owner left X10 devices plugged into the wall when they took all the rest of their X10 stuff?
With that said: Integrator's moving the chime was probably the best suggestion so far. Not because of powerline carrier issues, but simply because it will be in a different place and [hopefully] subject to different interference. A basement might be a good starting point, then move it up from there as no phantom visitors are heard.
I'm thinking back to the $9.95 cheapie that I bought last year for someone who needed it.... Infomercial-type brand, no channels, no nothing.
You bring up X10. I had not thought of this. I suppose it's entirely possible the OP has an X10 chime. But this should not cause false trips on the powerline end: The button sends RF to the transciever, then it's all powerline after that. As you well know. At the powerline level X10 devices are downright picky and tend not to false trip -- but they also tend to reject legit signals altogether. _That's_ where moving it would help -- when you're not getting your devices to respond.
I also find it hard to believe the previous owner left X10 devices plugged into the wall when they took all the rest of their X10 stuff?
With that said: Integrator's moving the chime was probably the best suggestion so far. Not because of powerline carrier issues, but simply because it will be in a different place and [hopefully] subject to different interference. A basement might be a good starting point, then move it up from there as no phantom visitors are heard.
Integrator97
12-01-07, 07:26 AM
Actually you can get false trips on x10. I've seen at least 3 instances on 2 kinds of devices.
One was an x10 chime doorbell setup exactly as we are talking about here, except NO wireless. The button was wire to an x10 relay, which triggered the x10 chime. It started to go off on it's own till we moved it. Then had to move it again a year or two later. Same thing.
In 2 instances I had x10 wireless sirens (that acually used NO RF signals, wireless meaning not to the siren) on ITI Caretaker alarm systems that would go off for no reason. Moving them fixed the problem.
Noise created on the line can sometimes create a false signal. One of the downsides of older x10 technology which was "one way". Typically this is from things with motors like your refridgerator, hair dryer, etc. But suprisingly, computers are one of the worst about putting noise on your line. Also, if you are on the same phase of the same transformer (smaller homes in older neighborhoods typically), you can actually get signals from your neighbor. They make blockers for that. And you are also correct core, in that those same offenders can block signals with their noise.
One was an x10 chime doorbell setup exactly as we are talking about here, except NO wireless. The button was wire to an x10 relay, which triggered the x10 chime. It started to go off on it's own till we moved it. Then had to move it again a year or two later. Same thing.
In 2 instances I had x10 wireless sirens (that acually used NO RF signals, wireless meaning not to the siren) on ITI Caretaker alarm systems that would go off for no reason. Moving them fixed the problem.
Noise created on the line can sometimes create a false signal. One of the downsides of older x10 technology which was "one way". Typically this is from things with motors like your refridgerator, hair dryer, etc. But suprisingly, computers are one of the worst about putting noise on your line. Also, if you are on the same phase of the same transformer (smaller homes in older neighborhoods typically), you can actually get signals from your neighbor. They make blockers for that. And you are also correct core, in that those same offenders can block signals with their noise.