3A fuse for bathroom fan

[wiresnpliers]

Hi All,

Like many practicing electricians I have been frustrated that there is not a simple solution when wiring a bathroom fan with timer and the manufacturer's instructions say that it must be fused with one 3 amp fuse. I believe I have come up with the solution, which I have patented, what I'm struggling with (because I'm a sparks, not a manufacturer) is how to get this thing made, or if it was made, whether anyone would use it. I've attached the wiring diagram, which is pretty self explanatory. Feed back and/or any ways into manufacturing would be appreciated!

 

[wiresnpliers]

One obstacle that might have dissuaded many electrical accessory manufacturers from tooling up for this, is that its usefulness hinges on the fan manufacturers' rather daft policy of making installers jump through hoops simply to save £0.10 on the price of a fan. That is a realistic price, in quantity, for a suitable fuse added to the PCB. There's no point having it separately replaceable because it should only blow if the motor is destroyed; they are normally impedance protected against being mechanically stalled. Therefore once one major manufacturer decides to take advantage of this, adds the fuse and heavily promotes their fans to installers as being internally fused, others may follow and the specialised fused fan isolator will be redundant.

Some fans are already internally fused and marketed as such, but the innovation hasn't cornered the market to stop the hoop jumping.

 

[DPG]

Have you done market research of end users, ie householders? Have you confirmed that they would they be happy with that as a light switch?

And what about pull cord light switches?

 

[wiresnpliers]

Have you done market research of end users, ie householders? Have you confirmed that they would they be happy with that as a light switch?

And what about pull cord light switches?

Pull cords used to be popular in bathrooms, and above beds, personally I can't remember the last time a customer wanted one when they have a new bathroom. A customer led innovation? No. But then who asks a customer if they would prefer a fan isolator, a fuse and a light switch on separate plates cluttered around the bathroom/loo door?

 

[MJPD29]

Click Scolmore already product such a product

Never seen one of these before. Great idea

 

[Risteard]

Click Scolmore already product such a product

As do M2.

 

[wiresnpliers]

As do M2.

Thanks, the M2 one and Scolmore one comprise a fan isolator plus fuse (no light switch). Having an integrated light switch in my unit enables the simple wiring to fuse both the L and SL. Only putting a fuse and a fan switch together is still a faff to wire the L and SL.

 

[brianmoooore]

I can't see the attraction of a combined isolator, fuse and light switch. The only thing I want 1200mm off the floor inside the door of my bathroom are the switches I'm likely to need when I use the room for one or more of its intended purposes. These are typically a two or three switches for lights, possibly a separate switch for an extractor fan (with neon), if the room has an opening window, and maybe switches for a towel rail and UFH.
The isolator for the fan, and for anything else that needs an isolator can go high up outside the door, where they don't detract from the decor of the bathroom.
My own preference for a fan isolator/fuse, is to use a DP isolator and fuse, and feed the main light of the bathroom through it, as well as the fan, to discourage people (especially tenants), from turning the fan off and leaving it off.

 

[littlespark]

Cant you build this product yourself from grid modules?

 

[MJPD29]

Cant you build this product yourself from grid modules?

Yes you can

 

[Ian1981]

Cant you build this product yourself from grid modules?

Exactly this, plus click do a 3 gang module system to fit a single box

 

[DPG]

It's a decent idea, but I just don't think people will want that on their wall. I see how it benefits the electrician, but at the detriment to the end user.

 

[wiresnpliers]

Exactly this, plus click do a 3 gang module system to fit a single box

True. You can make a 2 gang or a 3 gang light switch from modules, I never have though, I've always bought 2 or 3 gang light switchs, same as you see in most installations.

 

[wiresnpliers]

It's a decent idea, but I just don't think people will want that on their wall. I see how it benefits the electrician, but at the detriment to the end user.

I don't see it as detrimental to the user, it gives them greater control. We're underestimating the intelligence of the user if we're saying that they don't understand when and how they should use a bathroom fan. And for the small minority that don't understand, they are as likely as not to have permanently switched the fan off, rather than leaving it permanently on, when they discover the deliberately placed 'out of reach' fan switch.

 

[brianmoooore]

are as likely as not to have permanently switched the fan off, rather than leaving it permanently on, when they discover the deliberately placed 'out of reach' fan switch.

That's why my preferred method is to connect the main light through the isolator, as well as the fan.

 

[Rockingit]

That's why my preferred method is to connect the main light through the isolator, as well as the fan.

Which presumably means any future works on the fan are done in the dark.....