Google Nest doorbells can replace your home's current doorbell. However, some doorbell systems are incompatible or can't deliver enough power. So, if you plan to connect a Nest doorbell to your current doorbell's wiring, you should first confirm that your doorbell system works.
Voltage and power requirements for Nest doorbells
- The Nest Doorbell (battery) can run on battery power alone, or it can be connected to your doorbell system wires for continuous charging. So, it can work in your home even if your system isn't compatible.
- The Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) must be connected to your home's doorbell system. In some homes, you may need to upgrade your transformer to meet the doorbell's higher power requirements. If it's not compatible, you can either contact a local pro to upgrade your system or install your doorbell with the indoor power adapter.
- The Nest Doorbell (wired) must be connected to your home's doorbell system. If it's not compatible, you can either contact a local professional to upgrade your system or install your doorbell with the indoor power adapter.
The table below compares the voltage and power required for Nest doorbells to work with your home's doorbell system.
| Nest Doorbell (battery) | Nest Doorbell (wired) | Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) | |
| Voltage | 8 to 24 V AC | 16 to 24 V AC (North America) 12 to 24 V AC (Global) |
16 to 24 V AC (North America) |
| Power | 10 to 40 VA | 10 to 40 VA (North America) 8 to 40 VA (Global) |
10 to 40 VA (North America) |
| Frequency | 50 to 60 Hz | 50 to 60 Hz | 50 to 60 Hz |
Tips for homes with no doorbell or complex doorbell systems
If your home doesn't have a doorbell
If your home doesn't already have a doorbell system, there are a few options:
- Ask a pro to install your Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen). Important: In Europe and Australia, a licensed electrician must install a new transformer before they install the Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen). If you live in the US or Canada, you might not need a new transformer, but if you do, we recommend that a licensed electrician install it for you.
- Install a battery-powered Nest doorbell. It can run on its internal battery and doesn't need to be connected to wires for power.
- Install Nest doorbell (wired) with the indoor power adapter. You can plug your doorbell into an indoor power outlet.
If you have an intercom, front gate control or other integrated device
Some doorbell systems have a built-in intercom, gate control, or a doorbell that's located far from your home (such as an outside gate). These systems typically don't work with the Nest doorbell.
In this case, there are a couple of options:
- Install the Nest doorbell with the indoor power adapter. You can plug your doorbell into an indoor power outlet.
- Install a battery-powered Nest doorbell so that you don't need to connect it to the system wires.
Install Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen)
Install Nest Doorbell (wired)
Install Nest Doorbell (battery)
Check system compatibility with Nest doorbells
Follow these steps to check whether your doorbell system is compatible with your Nest doorbell.
1. Check how your doorbell and chime are powered
- Locate your doorbell and chime. Doorbell chimes are usually mounted on the wall near the front door.
- Remove your doorbell chime's cover to check its wiring. Some covers simply pull off, but others might need to be unscrewed.
- Check the wires and wire labels inside the chime to confirm whether the doorbell system is compatible.
If the chime has two or more wires
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Your doorbell can probably work with Nest doorbell, but you need to check the voltage. |
Mechanical chime |
If the chime has both wires and batteries
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Your doorbell can probably work with the Nest doorbell, but you need to check the voltage. |
Digital chime |
If the chime only has batteries and no wires
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Doorbell chimes that only use batteries don't work with Nest doorbells. In some cases, a battery-powered chime and doorbell are installed over old doorbell wires. If wires are under your battery-powered chime and doorbell, the wires might work with wired installation of the Nest doorbell. Contact a local Pro installer to check that your wiring is compatible and install a new wired chime. If there are no wires behind the chime, there are a couple of options:
You can't use the chime with either of these options. If you want your doorbell to use the chime, you need to contact a local professional to install wires for a new doorbell system in your home. |
Wireless chime |
If the chime's wire labels aren't T, F, or R
If your chime has wires that aren't labeled T (Trans), F (Front), or R (Rear), it might be compatible, but you should contact a local pro installer for installation.
You can also install the Nest doorbell with the optional indoor power adapter, which lets you plug your doorbell into an indoor power outlet.
You also have the option to install a battery-powered Nest doorbell so that you don't need to connect it to the system wires.
2. Check the wire voltage
You need to check if your current doorbell system can deliver enough power for it to work.
There are a few ways to check the voltage. Select an option to get more information.
Find your doorbell transformer's voltage
Electrical transformers are typically labeled with a voltage rating. It's usually molded or etched into the transformer's body.
Transformers can be difficult to locate. Common places for transformers include the following:
- Inside your doorbell chime box
- Near your breaker or fuse box
- In the basement or crawl space under your home
If the wires lead out of your chime or doorbell, you might be able to follow them to your transformer if it's installed nearby.
Your doorbell system should be compatible with the Nest doorbell if your transformer is labeled anywhere within the following voltage ratings:
| Nest Doorbell (battery) | Nest Doorbell (wired) | Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) |
|
| Voltage requirement (North America) | 8 to 24 V AC | 16 to 24 V AC | 16 to 24 V AC |
| Voltage requirement (Global) | 8 to 24 V AC | 12 to 24 V AC | 16 to 24 V AC |
Your doorbell system isn't compatible with the Nest doorbell if one of the following is true:
- The transformer has no label.
- The voltage is above or below the requirement for the Nest doorbell.
If your doorbell system is incompatible with the Nest doorbell, there are a few options:
- Install a battery-powered Nest doorbell so that you don't need to connect it to the system wires.
- Contact a local pro installer to upgrade your transformer so it can work with Nest doorbell.
Important: In Europe and Australia, you’ll need to have a licensed electrician install a new transformer before installing the Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) - Install the Nest doorbell with the optional Nest doorbell plug-in adapter, which lets you plug the Nest doorbell into an indoor power outlet.
Use a multimeter to measure the voltage (most accurate)
Warning: To avoid the risk of shock, injury, or death, always use caution when working with electricity. Remember, if you're uncomfortable working with electrical wiring, you can have a local pro installer do it for you.
The most accurate way to check if your doorbell system is compatible is to measure the voltage on its wires.
Use the following steps to check your doorbell's wire voltage.
Important: Use a multimeter that has metal probes. "No contact" voltage testers (often shaped like a pen) may not be sensitive enough to give you a correct reading.
- Remove your current doorbell from the wall.
- Disconnect the wires from the doorbell. The voltage can't be accurately measured while the wires are still connected to the doorbell.
- Follow your multimeter's instructions and measure the voltage on the wires.
- Compare the multimeter's voltage reading to your doorbell's voltage requirement in the table below.
| Nest Doorbell (battery) | Nest Doorbell (wired) | Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) |
|
| Voltage requirement (North America) | 8 to 24 V AC | 16 to 24 V AC | 16 to 24 V AC |
| Voltage requirement (Global) | 8 to 24 V AC | 12 to 24 V AC | 16 to 24 V AC |
If the multimeter's reading is within the voltage requirement, the system wiring should work with the Nest doorbell.
If the measured voltage is either below or above the requirement, there are a few options:
- Install a battery-powered Nest doorbell so that you don't need to connect it to the system wires.
- Contact a local professional to upgrade the transformer so it can work with the Nest doorbell.
- Install the Nest doorbell with the optional indoor power adapter, which lets you plug your doorbell into an indoor power outlet.
Contact a local pro or an electrician
A local pro installer or trained electrician can measure your doorbell wire voltage or upgrade your system if it's not compatible. They can also install the Nest doorbell for you.
3. Install the chime connector if required
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Important: The Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) and Nest Doorbell (wired) must be installed with the chime connector included in the box. The Nest Doorbell (battery) doesn't need the chime connector for wired or battery-powered installation. The chime connector allows the chime's wires to deliver constant power to the Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) and Nest Doorbell (wired) and protects your chime from damage. In addition, without the chime connector, you might experience chime buzzing or unexpected chimes. Follow the steps in the app to properly install the chime connector. |
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