Bathroom Fan isolator wiring help

[krishcanag]

Hi there

I cannot find the regs page that will help me so maybe someone can help.

At the moment the bathroom light switch also activates a FAN. The bathroom has a openable window but I believe still its best to have an isolator so I want to fit the isolator, not sure if I can just break the connection to the FAN and put in the isolator switch or do I need a fused switch as well, the regs on the bathroom pages does not seem to have any useful info.

cheers

KC

 

[malcolmsanford]

Have a look at reg 510.3 and it shall be your guide

 

[telectrix]

is it a timer fan? if so you need a 3 pole isolator. also, if manufacturers instructions specify a 3A fuse, that will have to go before the light so as to fuse both the permanent and switched L's. last but not least, RCD protection for all circuits in bathrooms is mandatory.

 

[krishcanag]

Hi telectrix
It is a timer fan that stays on for approx 4 mins after light is switched off, very basic unit though. I haven't removed it yet. So do I understand you right in that I need a fused 3A switch plus the isloator switch? If this is correct where should the fused switch go? I don't want to break the bathroom tiles for anything, the isolator switch is going next to the FAN unit on the ceiling. All the cct's are RCD protected.

is it a timer fan? if so you need a 3 pole isolator. also, if manufacturers instructions specify a 3A fuse, that will have to go before the light so as to fuse both the permanent and switched L's. last but not least, RCD protection for all circuits in bathrooms is mandatory.

 

[telectrix]

read the manufacturers instructions. if it says must fit 3A fuse, then you will need to fit an FCU before the bathroom light. best way is to reconfigure the circuit so that the bathroom light is the end of line.

 

[krishcanag]

Thanks, man this is a bigger job than I had planned for!!!:auto:

 

[krishcanag]

I think I might change the FAN so might do it all!!!

 

[D Skelton]

If you fuse down the bathroom lighting circuit to 3A and are running the fan from this to comply with manufacturers instructions then you don't need a triple pole isolator.

 

[telectrix]

good point.

 

[nickblake]

If you fuse down the bathroom lighting circuit to 3A and are running the fan from this to comply with manufacturers instructions then you don't need a triple pole isolator.

you do if the bathroom has no window just a thought

 

[D Skelton]

you do if the bathroom has no window just a thought

Absolute rubbish! Find me the reg that states this

 

[krishcanag]

I think to save costs I will keep the FAN unit already there, trouble is I don't know if it needs fusing, as there is no manu details on it or paper.


OTE=D Skelton;461245]If you fuse down the bathroom lighting circuit to 3A and are running the fan from this to comply with manufacturers instructions then you don't need a triple pole isolator.[/QUOTE]

 

[D Skelton]

Most do require fusing. The only ones I'm aware of that haven't in the past have been Expellier fans. If you were going to fit an isolator anyway, you may as well fit a fused spur instead and fuse down the light feed. It's easier, cheaper and you comply with the regulations for sure then. Don't fit an isolator as it is not needed. This I am sure of 100%

 

[telectrix]

hmmm/. the fcu would isolate the light as well as the fan, so , if no window, fan servicing would be in the dark. standard working conditions for us sparks. i'm on the fence with this one.

 

[krishcanag]

When I inspected it (loft) I remember there was a 2.5mm 3 core going to the FAN from a junction box, I did'nt bother at the time to lift up the thermal insulation to see the routing of the present pull-cord switch (located on other side of bathroom) but assume its from the same JB, as a space to work in, it would be easier for me to cut the 3 core going to the FAN and put in a isolator inbetween or is there a switched fused unit that would comply in the same circuit location as stated above?

Most do require fusing. The only ones I'm aware of that haven't in the past have been Expellier fans. If you were going to fit an isolator anyway, you may as well fit a fused spur instead and fuse down the light feed. It's easier, cheaper and you comply with the regulations for sure then. Don't fit an isolator as it is not needed. This I am sure of 100%