isolator for extractor fan in bathroom.

[timmy123]

I am looking for some guidance on wiring an isolator in respect of a bathroom extractor fan.
I am planning to have the fan running off the existing lighting circuit and controlled by the existing pull cord switch for the existing bathroom light. I have checked the wiring regs however I cannot determine whether or not a separate isolator switch is required for the extractor fan.

Your comments would be welcomed.
Many thanks

 

[sythai]

Is there a window in the bathroom....? If so no need, but still good practice to put one in anyway

 

[antimatter]

Make sure the circuit is 30ma RCD protected, triple pole isolator, then onto the extractor fan.

Similar to this for maintenance.

http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...og_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCEQ8wIwAg#

 

[james king]

yes put a isolator in. the perm feed goes to L1 the switch live goes to L2 and N L3

 

[ian1511]

agree with both above good practice to fit an isolator,you can get a pull cord triple pole isolator perfect if you don't want to cause any damage

 

[sjm]

Be aware that most fan manufacturers require 3 amp fusing and dp isolator for the fan. This would be required in the main power supply before the bathroom light. However vortice only require a multipole isolator. If the bathroom has a window then I believe you don't need an isolator, however I always fit one as I consider it good practice.

 

[jamesb1]

Can I ask whatdifference a window makes to it ? Thanks James

 

[ringer]

If there is a window then, in theory, you can isolate the entire lighting circuit and use daylight through the window to be able to see to do your work on the fan (this of course assumes that the fan is actually on the lighting circuit). If there is no window, then you need the lights on to see what you are doing. That is my understanding of this particular regulation.

 

[Geordie Spark]

If there is a window then, in theory, you can isolate the entire lighting circuit and use daylight through the window to be able to see to do your work on the fan (this of course assumes that the fan is actually on the lighting circuit). If there is no window, then you need the lights on to see what you are doing. That is my understanding of this particular regulation.

Looks to me like the bloke who wrote this reg. has never heard of a portable light or a torch.

 

[jamesb1]

Ok seem daft to me as said what wrong with a torch or headlight Im sure half these reg are made up just to keep people in a job if wire a 3 core and earth from the celing rose to the t pole islator then to the fan you can keep the light on anyway

 

[telectrix]

it's just another bit of red tape nonsense. do the bureaucrats who come up with this drivel think that us electricians don't work after 4pm, like them? what use is window light at 7pm on a winter's evening?

 

[Adam W]

It seems to me to be the same logic which requires LSF cable in case there's a fire because it doesn't emit noxious fumes; what do you run that in? PVC trunking.
Or the same logic which requires fire rated P clips for FP cable to stop it falling down and obstructing firefighters, but the other cables are somehow fine held together in a bunch with a nylon cable tie.

If anything i would have thought it would make more sense to use an isolator if there IS a window because the window would reduce the need for forced ventilation, so you could happily switch the fan off if for instance you wanted to go for a pee in the night without the fan waking everyone else in the house.

 

[antimatter]

It seems to me to be the same logic which requires LSF cable in case there's a fire because it doesn't emit noxious fumes; what do you run that in? PVC trunking.
Or the same logic which requires fire rated P clips for FP cable to stop it falling down and obstructing firefighters, but the other cables are somehow fine held together in a bunch with a nylon cable tie.

If anything i would have thought it would make more sense to use an isolator if there IS a window because the window would reduce the need for forced ventilation, so you could happily switch the fan off if for instance you wanted to go for a pee in the night without the fan waking everyone else in the house.

Or fit a humidi-stat fan which will not come on of a night when you are having a pee but will come on automatically when the humidity in the room passes a certain threshold.

 

[gpz900jim]

it may be better to fit an isolator switch, it can be turned off if testing of the circuit is required or if the fan plays up and starts tripping the rcd, also, customers sometimes like to turn the fan off if its on a timer and they dont weant it coming on in the middle of the night

 

[Adam W]

Or fit a humidi-stat fan which will not come on of a night when you are having a pee but will come on automatically when the humidity in the room passes a certain threshold.

Does that work with smells as well?

 

[telectrix]

Does that work with smells as well?

all depends on how wet they are

 

[antimatter]

Does that work with smells as well?

haha,

 

[ezzzekiel]

although its mentioned in osg cant find any reference to the rule in the brb.

dont think anyone pays much attention to the 3a fuse rule, however there was a case a couple years ago where although unrelated to the cause of fan catching fire the spark was blamed for not following manufacturers instructions.

 

[Des 56]

Dont have the fan controlled by the light.I dont like that practice one little bit
Isolator and seperate pull cord,you can use a switched fused spur( D/p switching) as the isolator and then 3 amp fuse it
Everything covered then,the isolation,the control.the night nuisance

 

[timmy123]

many thanks sythai for the information.Cheers

 

[timmy123]

many thanks antimatter. I was not sure about the isolator wiring connections so this is a great help. Thanks again

 

[timmy123]

Jamesb1 that sounds an interesting alternative solution. Cheers for the guidance. timmy 123

 

[sparks1234]

It seems to me to be the same logic which requires LSF cable in case there's a fire because it doesn't emit noxious fumes; what do you run that in? PVC trunking.
Or the same logic which requires fire rated P clips for FP cable to stop it falling down and obstructing firefighters, but the other cables are somehow fine held together in a bunch with a nylon cable tie.

If anything i would have thought it would make more sense to use an isolator if there IS a window because the window would reduce the need for forced ventilation, so you could happily switch the fan off if for instance you wanted to go for a pee in the night without the fan waking everyone else in the house.

Thats why you are meant to use steel cable ties on fire alarms, not plastic ones but I see where you are coming from

 

[cr_sparky]

i mount a fuse spur above the bathroom door on the inside that isolates the bathroom lights,fan shaver point and mirror light,

 

[ringer]

i mount a fuse spur above the bathroom door on the inside that isolates the bathroom lights,fan shaver point and mirror light,

Shouldn't that be on the outside?