The bell revolves in full circle firstly in one direction and then the other. The clapper strikes the bell once on each revolution.

The rope is fixed to the side of the wheel which has a groove around it. It is then passed through a hole in the groove and then through another hole in the floor below the bell. Usually there is an intermediate floor which the rope passes through. This reduces the sound of the bells at the level where the ringers pull the bell-ropes (the ringing-chamber).

On the right is a sketch of an "Ideal Tower for a Ringing Peal".