Safe Luxury

Is it safe to remove a home security transformer?

Our house is an 80's era house and came with security system. In my room there is a wall transformer similar to the ones you find for any other major electronic device, however, it has a screw above it that prevents it from being taken out readily. From what I've been told and what I've seen on several websites, it's a transformer for our alarm system. The system is not currently in use (one of the sensors is broken) but the system itself still has power going to it. I would like to remove the transformer since we don't even use the alarm. Do I need to do anything at the alarm box first or can I just remove it after I take off the screw. I just want to make sure it's safe to just remove.

Public Comments

1. It all depends on how the transformer gets electricity. If it plugs into the wall, but is fastened to the cover plate with a screw, I don't imagine any problem removing it, as long as you replace the screw and coverplate when you are done. Shut the breaker off just to be safe. If it is hard wired to 120V (as is typical of doorbell transformers), you (or a licensed electrician) may shut the power off at the breaker, disconnect the transformer wiring, making sure to terminate any bare wires according to local and national electrical codes, then reactivate the breaker.
2. Using rubber coated handles on your hand-tools take the cover plate off , unhook the wires and cap off with wire protective caps (they screw onto the wire), reinstall the cover plate. You can cut the power to the transformer first if you'd like to.
3. Sounds like an old system. The great majority of new systems use wireless sensors, and the good ones use a cellular radio to communicate alarms. You might think about whether you want to replace the one you have at some point. You can actually get a wireless system for very little money that will support up to 39 or 40 zones (or sensors) such as the GE Simon XT, and it is really rare that you would need more than that. Plus, the new systems do so much more! By the way, be sure that you focus on cellular monitoring (the only safe method, since there is no phone line or internet connection to cut) - and look hard for interactive features. a good system these days has the following: 1) 100% cellular monitoring - no phone line required, and none to cut! 2) Remote arm/disarm capability 3) Special apps for iPhone, Blackberry, Android 4) Email & test notifications on anything happening at home: doors opening, etc. 5) Video services - live viewing from any web connection (including phone) and motion-activated clips 6) Smart home - remote light and thermostat control remote arm/disarm, special apps for hand-held devices, text and email notifications, and even video and smart home features. As for your system, sounds as if the transformer is plugged into an outlet, and held there by a screw. This is not unusual. These systems are "low voltage" power users (usually 6-9 volts), and the job of the transformer is to "step down" the power coming from the outlet before it is fed to the alarm system. This may well be the main power source for the system, and that means that there is probably a large metal box (or enclosure) somewhere nearby, the "brains" of your system. Alarm companies try to find power near the enclosure, but it's not always possible. There is a good possibility that the wires from the transformer (two thin ones) go back to the enclosure. If that is the case, I would unplug the transformer, unscrew the two thin wires (or cut them) after the transformer has no power, then retract the two thin wires from the enclosure end. If that seems like a lot of trouble, an electrician is always a good bet.
4. You want to open the alarm cabinet, disconnect the battery, then unplug the transformer. Your system might still be powered without the transformer plugged in and will go off if you don't take the battery out. After you have removed the battery, just take a screwdriver and remove the screw holding the transformer in. Also, you might just want to hook up that alarm transformer in another room if you eventually use the alarm for security again, so save the transformer somewhere.