A digital doorbell adapter (DDA) is required for all digital chimes to work with the SkyBell Doorbell Camera. The primary function of a DDA is to regulate the power going to the digital speaker throughout the duration of the chime.

The DDA is installed in the middle of the chime's circuit. Connect the DDA to the chime prior to installing the Doorbell Camera. 

The DDA can be ordered from the Alarm.com Partner Portal. The SKU for the DDA is ADC-VACC-DB-A. For more information about placing orders using the Partner Portal, see How do I order equipment?.

Pre-installation checklist

• Compatible digital chime. For more information about chime compatibility, see What types of chimes are compatible with the SkyBell Doorbell Cameras?
• Sufficient power source. For more information, see Which transformers are compatible with the SkyBell Doorbell Camera?
• Physical access to the chime
• SkyBell Doorbell Camera (ADC-VDB101/102/105/106/105x/106x)

Note: When installing two Doorbell Cameras on a single chime, two DDAs must be installed. For more information about wiring in this scenario, see Wiring two SkyBell Doorbell Cameras to a single chime.

Verify the chime is digital 

A digital chime has a speaker that plays a melody or tone

• There are often volume and tone dials on digital chimes.
• Digital chimes require both a DDA to be installed and the SkyBell Doorbell Camera to be configured for a digital chime. For more information about configuring the SkyBell Doorbell Camera, see Configure the SkyBell Doorbell Camera chime type.

A mechanical chime has metal bars and a striker pin

• Mechanical chimes work without additional hardware.

The Doorbell Camera is compatible with mechanical and digital door chimes and is not compatible with intercom systems, wireless chimes, and tube chimes. For more information about identifying the chime, see What types of chimes are compatible with the SkyBell Doorbell Cameras?.

For more information about the differences between mechanical and digital chimes, see SkyBell Doorbell Camera Digital vs Mechanical Door Chimes Video.

Install the digital doorbell adapter

Digital doorbell adapter wiring diagram

DDA wiring	Wiring notes
	Connect wires J3/J4 to the Trans/Front terminals on the digital door chime. Connect the transformer/SkyBell Doorbell Camera wires to terminals J5/J6. Note: Polarity does not matter.

There are different variations of DDAs, but they all perform the same function. If the DDA looks different from the preceding diagram, see Alternative digital doorbell adapter wiring.

To wire the digital doorbell adapter to an existing chime:

1. Take the chime cover off of the chime.
2. Remove the two wires connected to Front and Trans on the chime. If there are any diodes in the circuit, remove them too.
   
   
    
3. Insert the wires into the white connectors. Polarity does not matter.
   
   
   
   
   Note: The adapter may display TO CHIME on the side. Please disregard.
    
4. Connect the DDA wires to Front and Trans. Polarity does not matter.
   
   
   
   Note: The adapter may display TO SKYBELL on the side. Please disregard.
    
5. Reattach the chime cover to the chime.
    

To remove a wire

• Press the silver hole with a screwdriver to release the wire.

Enroll the SkyBell Doorbell Camera to the account

Once the DDA and SkyBell Doorbell Camera are both physically installed, sync the SkyBell Doorbell Camera with the customer's account. For more information about syncing the SkyBell Doorbell Camera, see SkyBell Doorbell Camera (ADC-VDB101/102/105/106/105x/106x) - Installation Guide.

Configure the chime as digital

Once the SkyBell Doorbell Camera is synced with Alarm.com, the SkyBell Doorbell Camera must be configured for a digital chime using the Customer Website or app. If this feature is not enabled, users may experience irregular behavior from the SkyBell Doorbell Camera and/or the chime (e.g., warped tones, constant ringing from the chime, power loss to the chime, etc).

To configure the SkyBell Doorbell Camera chime type using the Customer Website:

1. Log into the Customer Website.
2. Click Video.
3. Click Settings. 
4. Using the Video Device dropdown menu, select the SkyBell Doorbell Camera to edit. 
5. Click Video Device Info. 
6. Using the Chime Type dropdown menu, select Digital.
7. Click Save.

To configure the SkyBell Doorbell Camera chime type using the Customer app: 

1. Log into the Customer app. 
2. Tap Doorbell Camera. 
3. Tap .
4. Tap the Digital Door Chime toggle switch. 
5. Tap Save. 

Troubleshooting

The DDA regulates the power between the SkyBell Doorbell Camera and the digital chime. A malfunctioning or missing DDA is likely to cause strange behaviors related to power or how the chime rings.

If the chime is not ringing the way it should, troubleshooting the entire chime system is recommended. For more information about troubleshooting a chime not ringing properly, see SkyBell Doorbell Camera is not ringing or SkyBell Doorbell Camera is constantly ringing.

Symptoms of a missing digital doorbell adapter

If the SkyBell Doorbell Camera is wired to a digital chime system without a DDA:

• The digital chime may ring continuously until the SkyBell Doorbell Camera is disconnected from power. 
• The SkyBell Doorbell Camera may not power up because the digital chime is pulling the majority of power from the transformer. 
• A humming or buzzing sound might be present because there is incorrect power going to both the digital chime and the SkyBell Doorbell Camera. For more information, see SkyBell Doorbell Camera is constantly buzzing or humming.
  • The SkyBell Doorbell Camera does not make a buzzing sound. If there is a buzzing sound, what actually is heard is the home's transformer. If the transformer is buzzing, it means that it isn't able to put out enough power for the SkyBell Doorbell Camera.
  • Occasionally, some older door chimes will not regulate the power current to the SkyBell Doorbell Camera properly, causing a buzzing or humming noise. If the chime itself is replaced, this issue will be resolved. If the door chime is replaced with a digital door chime, make sure to get a SkyBell Doorbell Camera DDA.

If these symptoms appear while a digital doorbell adapter is wired to the system, verify all compatibility and power requirements are met before replacing the digital doorbell adapter.

Alternative digital doorbell adapter wiring

DDA wiring	Wiring notes
	Connect J1 to the Front terminal on the digital chime. Connect J2 to the transformer wire. Connect J3 to the Trans terminal on the digital chime. Connect J4 to the SkyBell Doorbell Camera wire.
	Connect J1 to the Front terminal on the digital chime. Connect J2 to the transformer wire. Connect J3 to the Trans terminal on the digital chime. Connect J4 to the SkyBell Doorbell Camera wire.