What Breaker Should Doorbell Be on: Dedicated Circuit Breaker for Doorbell?

As a homeowner, it is imperative to ensure the safety and proper functioning of your doorbell system. For the systems to work safely and reliably you need to pick the right circuit breaker for it.

So it begs the question “What breaker should doorbell be on?”. The most commonly used breakers for doorbell systems include:

• Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB)
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
• Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI)

Key Takeaway

Why Picking the Right Breaker is Important: Circuit Breakers’ Roles

A lot of homeowners tend to ignore installing a dedicated breaker for the doorbell system.

Doorbells are not high voltage items so you may think it does not need a dedicated circuit. Here are some reasons why you should get a dedicated circuit breaker for your doorbell:

Safety of Devices

The primary role of circuit breakers is to ensure electrical safety. Faulty wiring or excessive power demands cause the breakers to short. These are designed in a way that prevents overloads and short circuits.

If you do not have a dedicated breaker for your doorbell, an electrical overload will directly damage the doorbell and other connected devices.

Pounding way too many devices into a single breaker causes most of the electrical fires in homes.

Stability

Doorbell systems that have cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity have sensitive electronic components inside them. If the electricity supply fluctuates, it can adversely affect these components.

Circuit breakers help maintain the flow of electricity and protect these components from electric surges. The reliability and stability of these doorbell systems heavily rely on breakers.

Compliance

Most regions require strict adherence to electrical codes and standards. Most countries legally require the use of dedicated circuit breakers for different home appliances.

Having a dedicated circuit breaker for the doorbell systems not only ensures it is safe but also compliant with electrical codes and standards for installations. This is very important for legal and insurance purposes.

Preventing any Interference

The audio and video features are sensitive to static noise interference from electricity. These interferences can distort the footage.

A circuit breaker like the GFCI breaker mitigates the static noise with the use of grounding. If your footage is not clear it defeats the whole purpose of having a doorbell system in the first place.

Maintenance

Even in cases of electrical issues, having dedicated circuit breakers for each appliance helps quickly isolate the one with the problem. You can then inspect and do maintenance on it without having to rip your whole house off power.

If you do not want to disrupt the whole electricity line you should get dedicated breakers for the doorbell system.

Different Types of Circuit Breakers for Doorbells

There are quite a few types of breakers out there. Different types of circuit breakers are fitting for different doorbell systems.

These are the most commonly used circuit breakers on doorbells:

Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB)

MCBs act like a time-delay tripping device. These have molded insulating material inside and can automatically switch the circuit. You can buy MCBs for as low as $10. Check pricing here: Miniature Circuit Breakers.

These are very similar to thermal circuit breakers. The circuit cuts power off in case of overheating in appliances and has a short circuit rating of 6000 amps or 6kA.

(Source: Amazon)

These breakers are ideal for conventional home doorbell systems in residential areas. The main selling point is the low-voltage category.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)

If you live in a damp area or one that has rain most of the year, the GFCI breakers are for you. These are essential for doorbell systems installed in moisture-prone areas to prevent shocks.

These breakers have an interrupt rating of 10kA. Most commercial areas legally require the installation of GFCI breakers to prevent fire and other electricity hazards.

(Source: Amazon)

It shuts off power in the event of a ground fault and does not take more than a fraction of a second. They work by constantly monitoring the current going in and returning from the appliance along the circuit.

GFCI breakers are a bit more expensive than MCBs but are more reliable in a broader setting. Check prices here: GFCI Breakers.

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI)

Arc fault circuit breakers are only required if you own a relatively old home or have complex wiring around the house.

Arc fault happens when the electrical current jumps from one wire to another. It is a very dangerous situation and can cause rapid fires in an instant.

(Source: Amazon)

You will only need AFCI breakers for special cases. These are useful in older homes in protecting appliances against electrical fires by detecting and interrupting arc faults.

Check prices here: AFCI Breakers.

How to Pick the Right Circuit Breaker for Your Doorbell System?

The main reason for installing circuit breakers is the safety of your home, appliances, and yourself. Choosing the right circuit breaker for a doorbell involves some important considerations.

Here are some factors to consider while choosing a breaker for a doorbell system:

Load Capacity

To prevent any tripping issues, match the doorbell’s total power needs with the breaker’s capacity. Calculate how much power the doorbell needs and any extra power that the camera or light draws.

A typical doorbell system’s power consumption rating is usually around 15-20 amps. Pick a breaker that leaves headway for additional load. For example, a blink or ring doorbell sometimes has sync devices attached to it.

Voltage

The breaker also needs to match the doorbell’s voltage. Most residential setups work on standard household voltage.

Double-check before going to the store to get a breaker.

Type of Load

Different devices have different power needs. Some draw constant power and some spike while starting up. These are the main three types:

You can even set up backup power sources for when the electricity fluctuates to mitigate any damage from it.

Surrounding Environment

Most homeowners install doorbells on the outside so environmental considerations are very important.

Moisture, temperature changes, and exposure to other elements like rain, snow, and humidity can damage the doorbell if not grounded properly. This is where the GFCI breakers shine the brightest.

Type of Breaker

Know your breakers. A standard breaker like the MCB will provide basic protection.

Most new homes already have enough grounding and arc fault protection. Even if they did not originally these are installed when renovating for sale or rent. So a standard MCB should do the trick.

If you want enhanced ground protection get a GFCI breaker, if you have an old home or complex wiring consider the AFCI breaker.

Compatibility

Not all breakers are compatible with the electrical panel you have installed. Using incompatible breakers may do more harm than good.

Read the local electrical compliance code and you will get a basic understanding of what panels your house uses or which types of breakers you can install.

Expansion

Thinking ahead is a good way to start off deciding which breaker to get. If you plan to upgrade down the line, get a breaker that can handle additional load.

Do not DIY if you are not comfortable with electric work. Get a pro to help you out in selecting and setting up the breaker. Bad installations are fire hazards and you will end up with damaged systems.

Frequently asked Questions – (FAQs)