What is a home without a doorbell? People take doorbells for granted as everyone has them, but they are a necessary addition to every home. During the early ages, when homes were made of straws and wood, people used to knock on the doors with their knuckles or call out. Later, people start attaching buckles to the doors to help visitors knock louder. But with the invention of electricity, in 1831, scientist Joseph Henry invented the first ever electric doorbell.
Currently, with so much new software and technology, doorbells offer so much more than just alerting you of a visitor. They now also come with an alarm system and even a camera so the homeowners can see what’s going on outside their doors. So, here is more about the function of doorbells and the types of doorbells you can get for your home.
See also: Best CCTV camera for home security
How does an electric doorbell function?
A doorbell does not have a complex mechanism. It requires magnetic power and electricity. The main component of a doorbell is the electromagnetic coil. These coils wrap around a tiny metal that is magnetic. As soon as electricity passes through it, an electric field is created around the coil. And as soon as someone rings the doorbell, an electric circuit gets completed, which allows the electricity from the wires to pass through the electromagnetic coil, which powers the parts that make the sound. The magnetic piston installed then moves because of the electrical field and makes the classic ding-dong sound of the doorbell. Doorbells require less energy than other electronic devices.
Different kinds of doorbells for homes
Regardless of your home design, budget and electric wiring, there is a decent doorbell available to meet your requirements. You can also customise them to fit as per your needs and mobility. Most doorbells come in a DIY kit that requires you to read the manual and set them up accordingly. Generally, there are three main kinds of doorbells:
Jenix 12V DC wired doorbell
Hard-wired doorbells need to be directly attached to your home’s main electrical system. They have a main switch fixed in the button. The switch is connected to the transformer via a terminal. Transformers need to be placed in a dry area of your house, like a basement. These doorbells do not run on batteries and hence are low-maintenance. Buy a good quality doorbell, and they can last up to 12 years. Residential owners usually go for wired doorbells. Some also have a small light source to help people enter their homes during nighttime.
Priced at Rs 3,000, the Jenix 12V DC wired doorbell has four wires that connect to the transmitter. It comes in white and is lightweight. The decibel of volume goes up to 90 dB.
Source: Pinterest
AVANTEK wireless doorbell
A wireless doorbell uses a system of radio waves to transmit electricity that functions the machine. The machines use components like a switch, receiver unit and transmitter. The receiver unit gets placed within the range of the doorbell. As soon as a person presses the button, the transmitter sends the signal to the receiver via waves which, in return, chimes the doorbell. If your property is huge, you can also use multiple receivers around the doorbell to receive signals. The device is usually small and portable. Since they run on batteries, you need to keep changing them once the power gets exhausted. They are easy to operate and install, and they come with various functions such as different melodies and even lights. They come in various shapes and colours to choose from.
AVANTEK mini-wireless doorbell is one of the best models available in the Indian market. Priced at Rs 2,188. This black sleek looking doorbell has up to five different levels of volume and up to fifty different melodies one can choose as their chime sound. The machine has a range of up to 1000 feet, depending on the environment. The lithium batteries guarantee 3 years warranty and are waterproof as well.
Source: Pinterest
Arlo smart doorbells
The third trending doorbell is the smart doorbell which has way more features than the other two doorbells. They do not use wires or batteries but rely on the home’s internet connectivity. Connected via the internet, they can also be accessed via your phones and tablets. They have a security camera within them that gets activated as soon as someone rings the bell and lets the homeowners see their faces in the small LED display installed on the inside of the home. Some even come with voice recorders that also let you converse with the outsider via speakers. They work even if you are not at your home by alerting you via apps. Other features include HD video quality and a zooming-in option. They are on the costlier side but provide the utmost safety.
The best smart doorbell model in India is the Arlo video doorbell. They cost up to Rs 25,999. It has all the required facilities, such as two-way voice access, HD video quality, night vision mode, an alarm system and a motion sensor that lets you sleep in peace. They are compatible with laptops.
Source: Pinterest
FAQs
What is the range of connectivity in a wireless doorbell?
A standard wireless doorbell has a connectivity range from 100 to 400 m. Some expensive models also offer a higher range.
Do wired doorbells use more electricity?
Doorbells have a simple mechanism and hence only use up to 2 watts of electricity.
Can you change the volume of the doorbell chimes?
Traditional and wired doorbells do not have the option of changing volume. Wireless and smart doorbells not only offer a change in volume feature, but you can also select from the different sounds of chimes.
