Doorbell circuit

[electric-ed]

I know modern signal (Class 2) transformers are supposed to be thermally protected, but have any of you ever heard of doorbell circuit wiring overheating and causing a fire?

Do you think this would be possible if the pushbutton stuck in the "on" position?

Ed

[electricguy]

A few years ago I was at a friends house that was getting an inside paint job. After that I noticed that the door chime never worked. Last week I was asked If i could look at it. Some one had rewired the xformer to the gong and it was permanently energized. the gong was ceased and the xformer was still working when i used the back door push button and properly wired the xformer.I did not noticed if the xformer was in thermal overload all these years.

[Ellement]

I've seen the inexpensive plastic dual solenoid door chime melted in the casing as a result of the doorbell button sticking and overheating the solenoid to the point it eventually opens the winding, and the circuit.
Clients have reported smelling something burning for hours prior to the solenoid opening.
I have seen this in 5 or 6 different situations, and if I remember correctly the transformers were all still working.
I wonder if the transformer is mounted in an unheated garage area or a heated area it would affect the thermal protection of the transformer?

[twh]

I had a similar discussion with a couple contractors who have been in the business since the sixties. There were no known problems with the old bell wire.