Arlo Video Doorbell wired blowing transformers

[clarkster]

My Arlo Video Doorbell keeps blowing my transformers.  My electrician installed first one and it blew the transformer after 2 days.  I returned the Arlo Doorbell and got a new one just in case it was the doorbell.  Installed the second one with a new transformer.  Worked for about 3 days and blew out.  Electrician came back switched the wires and installed new transformer.  worked for 5 days and blew out again.  That's 3 transformers now.

I've read a few other posts where some users seem to be having the same problem.  Anyone else experiencing this?  It's awesome when it works.  Super frustrating.

[Dannybear]

I would be concerned that the electrician did not install a fuse or breaker to protect the transformer from damage when it was initially installed or even after the first failure.

I would also be concerned that the wiring insulation is breaking down causing intermittent short circuits especially if the wiring is very old or incorrectly rated for purpose. Recent disturbances of the wiring could explain a lot or rats and termites in the walls that sharpen their teeth.

The above does not discount the doorbell as being defective but less likely if replaced. Check if you’re using the correctly rated transformer, I read that some users have upgraded the transformer to a higher wattage capacity when transformers fail but their failures have not been a frequent as yours.

Things to consider going forward.
Is there sufficient ventilation for the transformer, if heat can’t escape from the transformer it could be just overheating.

Is the wiring sufficiently rated and in good condition, the longer the wiring run the more voltage drop occurs and so higher the current is required by the doorbell.

E.g. if the wiring voltage drop is 4 volts under load the doorbell will draw more current to maintain operational performance so the transformer is still supplying the same voltage but the current has increased resulting in the transformer ratings to be exceeded.

Check if you have a lot of mains power fluctuations or disturbances, power surges are notorious for failures to electronic equipment like computer power supplies, consider using a surge protection device on the transformer.

[clarkster]

hey dannybear,

really appreciate the detailed response to my little problem.  here's some more context for my setup:

we recently completed a full renovation of our home (down to studs in a lot of areas).  so my contractor ran new wiring to the doorbell.  i just asked him for the specs of the transformer and he said it is 16.5V a/c 25VA.  not sure what the requirements are for this doorbell, but he seemed to think that this should be sufficient given that he does a lot of this type of work.  he ran a cord of 4 wires to the doorbell which only required 2.  when the doorbell killed the first two transformers, he switched out the pairs to the other 2.  he ran meters on them and they all checked out.

the transform is about 6 feet from the doorbell.  i'm guessing 10 feet of wire, so it doesn't have to travel very far.  the transformer is plugged into a surge protector outlet in my front entrance closet.  it doesn't seem very hot in there.

i'm not suggesting the doorbell itself is defective since i'm on my second one and it did the same thing.  i guess the key question is what are the spec requirements for the transformer?

thanks for taking the time.

[Dannybear]

Transformer Spec is 16 to 24vac, 10va from the manual.

https://www.arlo.com/en-us/images/Documents/ArloVideoDoorbell/arlo-video-doorbell-um-us.pdf

Do you also have a external chime or bell/buzzer connected?

When the transformer failed do you think it might have occurred at the same time it was in use?

if the transformer is a plug pack, is it getting unusually hot when doorbell is operating?

When the transformer fails does it smoke, smell or something else?

Sounds like you have covered majority of issues already.