Nutone LA-163 - Manual

Front pushbutton must have diode (supplied) assembled across the

screw terminals as shown in Figure 3.

NOTE: Upon completion of installation, if the chime does

not operate properly, check the pushbutton(s) for poor contact
or loose connections. Be certain wires are not touching the
tone bars.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

READ & SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

®

Lighted Door Chimes

LA-156PR, LA-163, LA-164

or LA-165 Series

WIRING

BE SURE HOUSE POWER IS TURNED OFF WHEN WIRING THE

TRANSFORMER. WIRING CONNECTIONS MUST COMPLY WITH
LOCAL OR NATIONAL WIRING CODES.

•

For chime installation, use NuTone Model 101T Transformer.

NOTE:

When fastening chime wiring to wall studs and ceiling joists,

care must be taken to avoid possible “shorts” that might be created by
allowing staples or clips to cut through the protective wiring insulation.

Refer to Figure 1.

Mount the

transformer to a convenient junction box
(attic location is not recommended) or
circuit breaker box. Connect house
power leads to transformer leads –
black to black and white to white.

Refer to Figure 2

. Run 2 conductor

18 gauge wire from transformer and the
pushbutton(s) to chime location.
Remove fiberboard shield from front of chime base by gently pulling
forward until it disengages from the chime. Bring the wires through the
wiring hole in the chime baseplate and fasten the baseplate to the wall
through the mounting holes with the screws provided. Connect the
transformer and the pushbutton wires to the chime terminal board as
shown in Figure 2. Replace fiberboard shield.

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 3

CLIP DIODE LEADS TO
3/8" AND INSERT INTO
TERMINALS

RECESS

MOUNTED

PUSHBUTTON

WRAP DIODE LEAD AROUND EACH
TERMINAL SCREW AND CLIP EXCESS

WRAP
DIODE LEAD
AROUND
EACH
TERMINAL
SCREW

RECESS

MOUNTED

PUSHBUTTON

INSTALLING THE PUSHBUTTONS

A diode must be added to the front door pushbutton so that

power will be supplied continuously to the Chime.

The diode is packed inside an envelope that is located in the chime

package.

A diode is not required at the back door pushbutton.

PLANNING

•

Your NuTone Door Chime is designed for two-door operation.

•

Handle the door chime carefully, as you would any precision instrument.

To add the diode to the front door's pushbutton:

1. Remove the pushbutton from the door jamb or wall.
2.

Refer to Figure 3.

Depending upon which type of pushbutton is

being used, wire the diode to the two (2) terminals on the
pushbutton.

3. Be sure the wire on the end with the silver band goes to the screw

terminal wired to the transformer.

4. Press the front door pushbutton and listen for the chime to sound.
5. If the chime does not sound when the button is depressed, the

diode is installed backwards. Simply reverse the wiring
connections on the pushbutton and test the chime again.

6. Tighten the terminal screws and replace the pushbutton in the door

jamb or wall.

Note:

on metal siding, place a small piece of

insulating tape on the surface opposite the diode to prevent
shorting.

NOTE: If you are using a lighted pushbutton, the bulb's

brightness will be reduced 30-40%. This is normal and will
increase life of the bulb.

DIODE

TRANS

FRONT

SILVER BAND

The following test can be used to test for correct installation of
diode at pushbutton if power is not available. NOTE: If diode is
installed backwards and power is applied to the chime, damage to
the diode, chime or transformer will occur.

1. Power to chime transformer must be off.
2. Wire the chime per the instructions supplied. Connect the diode

across the chime pushbutton (remove bulb if pushbutton is lighted).

3. Remove the wire from the front screw terminal at the chime.
4. Connect an ohmmeter selected to the diode position (or lowest ohms

scale if no diode position exists) to the front wire and transfomer
screw terminal on chime.

5. Measure with the (+) lead connected to the front wire and the (-) lead

connected to the transformer screw terminal - Record measurement
of ohmmeter.

6. Reverse the ohmmeter wires so the (-) lead is connected to the front

wire and the (+) lead connects to the transformer screw terminal -
Record measurement of ohmmeter.

7. For the chime to operate correctly the ohmmeter reading must be

less (lower reading) when the (-) lead is connected to the transformer
and the (+) lead is connected to the front wire.

8. If #7 is incorrect, reverse the diode at the pushbutton and redo steps

4, 5, and 6 to verify the correct reading in step 7.

9. After verifying the correct placement of the diode, reconnect the front

wire to the front screw terminal on the chime and replace bulb in
pushbutton if removed for test.

DIODE TEST

FIGURE 2

FRONT DOOR
PUSHBUTTON

SINGLE 2-NOTE CHIME

18 GA. INSULATED
2-CONDUCTOR WIRE

NUTONE 101T
TRANSFORMER

120vAC WIRING

REAR DOOR
PUSHBUTTON

TERMINAL
BOARD

FRONT

TRANS

REAR

DIODE