how can i add a on/off switch to my intercom? (fit in, apartments)

[nycman9]

Any electric wizards here can give me ideas how to add a on/off switch to my intercom. I’m thinking doing this because homeless and junkies keep ringing the apartments at late hours of the night to buzz them into the building.

I was thinking of adding a switch(hidden at bottom of intercom) by splicing either the red or black wire on just the speaker but not sure which one to cut.. This will only silence the speaker, but all buttons remain functional.. don't wanna make it complicated... any ideas or methods appreciated.

Intercom faceplate:


Inside wiring:

[Mr.Retired]

Response: Opinion


Thank you for the photo.
I agree with your thoughts.

I would do just like you suggested.
Purchase a small on and off toggle switch.
Drill a tiny hole on the bottom front left side
of the speaker case ( right side in photo )
and mount the switch away from circuit board.
Solder in two 6 inch lengths of wire to the switch.
Place the two wires to the side for now.

At the speaker.
Unsolder the red wire. Place exposed red wire to the side
for now. At the speaker connection solder in any switch wire
and solder other remaining switch wire to the exposed red wire..
Tape up connections.

Switch is called a single pole single throw switch ,On and Off Switch, or S.P.S.T.switch.

Best wishes.

[Tencent]

Any ideas for the more modern ones?

[BugsyPal]

Unless you own that apartment messing with wiring can be seen as violation of your lease.

[mathjak107]

in these parts here landlords look for lease violations via modifications because some thing is obsoleted and cant be put back if you get an order . they use that to oust tenants from stabilized apartments .

when my son was in law school he had to sit in housing court for a few days .

the judge gave them a lecture on the fact many times they are going to run in to what is morally wrong vs the laws and he used the apartment modifications as an example .

many times he had to take the landlords side because a simple lot fixture was changed without written permission from what was apartment stock and the tenant could no longer replace the exact one . .

[reed303]

How about hanging a pillow over the speaker at night ?

[dfc99]

Here an SPST that doesn't require soldering, check specs to see if it will fit in your intercom -
https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bende...ustrial&sr=1-5


An SPST with screw terminals, no soldering required, check specs to see if it will fit in your intercom - https://www.amazon.com/Twidec-Positi...dDbGljaz10cnVl

[Mr.Retired]

Originally Posted by dfc99

Here an SPST that doesn't require soldering, check specs to see if it will fit in your intercom -
https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bende...ustrial&sr=1-5


An SPST with screw terminals, no soldering required, check specs to see if it will fit in your intercom - https://www.amazon.com/Twidec-Positi...dDbGljaz10cnVl

REsponse: Opinion

Simply amazing. Well done.