How does this bathroom fan work?

velmareth · Jun 22, 2019

Incredibly dumb question I’m afraid, but I’ve moved into a house and can’t figure out how to work the bathroom fan. Could somebody please help me?

Here’s the fan itself:

[ElectriciansForums.net] How does this bathroom fan work?

And there’s also this (possibly unrelated) switch type contraption on the wall:

This looks like it leads to two switches on the wall outside the bathroom (both control spotlights in the bathroom).

If anyone could help with this I would be hugely grateful

telectrix · Jun 22, 2019

there might be a fan isolator in the attic.

otherwise. can'thelp without phusically being there.

freddo · Jun 22, 2019

As above.
That junction box looks rather untidy on the wall like that, and as for that door architrave...

Andy78 · Jun 22, 2019

If there are no switches for the fan and the fan doesn't come on with the light the fan may not be working for some reason. It may also be a humidity operated fan, the small round aperture in the corner of the fan suggests this is possible.

Best to get a local electrician to have a look, that junction box on the wall does not inspire much confidence to the quality of the wiring.

velmareth · Jun 22, 2019

Thanks everybody. The wiring in this house is sketchy at best and we will need an electrician in to redo it all. I’ll look around in the attic for an isolator but definitely feel like the first job is going to be a complete rewiring of the entire house

Andy78 · Jun 22, 2019

velmareth said:
Thanks everybody. The wiring in this house is sketchy at best and we will need an electrician in to redo it all. I’ll look around in the attic for an isolator but definitely feel like the first job is going to be a complete rewiring of the entire house

This might not be needed at all. Get a thorough inspection done first. This should take at least half a day to do properly (there are those that would pop in and out in an hour) This will give a good overview of the condition of everything.
It might be that you just need a few dodgy issues sorting and some repairs done.

A rewire entails considerable disruption and expense.

Dustydazzler · Jun 22, 2019

As above

Get a full EICR (electrical report) done

If the house is wired in modern twin and earth cable then it might just need tidying up and possibly a new consumers unit (fuse box)

If this is the case you are looking at hundreds where as a complete strip out and full re-wire you are looking at thousands ...