My sketchy doorbell install (transformer voltage/ alarm cable as bell wire)

[numberwrong]

I've started to install a door bell:

2 x friedland 8v bells (one upstairs one down) running form a friedland 8v 1A transformer + friedland illuminated bell push.

For some reason I decided to use 6 core alarm cable (coz I had loads of it left over), the specs on the alarm system say the tamper circuit runs at 1A no more than 100m so I thought using 3 cores for (+) and 3 cores for (-) would be fine on the bell system (total circuit probably 15m/20m). Does this sound acceptable?? My only concern about this is the alarm cable is steel not copper.

problem no. 2:
The 8V output mesures at 14v (with no load) is this normal? does the voltage drop when there's a load it on it? I've got one of the 2 bells up and running and it's very loud! Haven't had any help to meter it when some one is pressing the button.

 

[telectrix]

sounds about right. alarm cable will do with just 2 cores doubled up. you don't want any volt drop. and it's normal for the 8V to read high on no load.

 

[Guest111]

Sounds about right,but the cores in alarm cable are coated copper not steel,if they were steel they would break very easily

 

[telectrix]

agreed. tinned copper. try a magnet on it.

 

[numberwrong]

The alarm cable is a bit prone to breaking and very thin but it came as part of a Honeywell Alarm kit with another reel purchased from a reputable electrical wholesaler, so maybe I'm just being heavy handed!

I feel more comfortable that I'm not going to cause a fire now! thanks for the advise