need for a fan isolator

[judgeelectrical]

I dont want to sound stupid, but heres one for you. Some of my guys have fitted an inline fan in a loft above a bedroom and use a light switch to break and isolate the switched live to the fan ( which has an over run) . In doing this they have not provided isolation for the permanent live or the neutral, does this contraveine the regs ? In my opinion things need to have isolation only when they may be mechanically worked on, ie changed, i thinh the mcb and rcd provide the isolation down at the fuse board. I can not find any info where insatalling a fan like this would be a no no ,

any opinions ?

 

[malcolmsanford]

What did the manufacters instruction recommend/want. Many instructions call for a local means of isolation and the use of a BS 60947-3 3 pole switch.

 

[telectrix]

in line fan in attic should have 3 pole isolator in attic so as whoever is working on the fan for whatever reason can isolate locally, and at the same time, have control over said isolator so nobody can inadvertently turn it on and fry him.

 

[Mr Mike]

The word here is local isolation. I always provide local isolation to extract fans. If you isolate the supply at the db, you then will have to lock the mcb off, signage ect and then work and work in the dark. Hope this helps you Judge.

 

[ezzzekiel]

if there is a window in bathroom then a fan does not require an isolator according to onsite.

 

[nickblake]

Agree ezzzzzzee but the fan is in the loft so if it has a light in there then it may well be on the same circuit so it would need an isolator the isolators aslo need to be 3 pole as neutral as isolation includes the neutral , like malcome has said it should be installed to manufacturers instructions the fans may well be required to be fused down to so if it has over run then the bathroom light circuit should be fused so that you can fuse both the permernant live and the switch live

 

[telectrix]

so, in this situation, it boils down to whether or not the attic has a window!!!. 9/10 it don't, but then 8/10 there.s no light , so either way you're going to need a torch.

 

[ezzzekiel]

correct never read the post properly, any reason why the fan is in the loft or why needed for a bedroom.

would drop tripple pole above door to whatever room it is provided for and possibly fuse down to meet manu instructions if deemed necc

 

[telectrix]

correct never read the post properly, any reason why the fan is in the loft or why needed for a bedroom.

would drop tripple pole above door to whatever room it is provided for and possibly fuse down to meet manu instructions if deemed necc

it's an in line fan, loft mount.

 

[ezzzekiel]

correct it is still never read it properly, would still isolate above bathroom door if thats the room its extracting from dont think isolating in attic is a great idea, the option of switching of locally to the room its used for is better idea.

 

[telectrix]

if i'm working on a fan in a loft, i want the isolator to be where i can see it , so as no muppet is giong to switrch it on and wake me up.

 

[ezzzekiel]

any users prefering to not use the fan need to climb into loft to isolate first, maybe on a commercial job but not deemed necc in a domestic situation a do not switch on sign would suffice

 

[telectrix]

not in my book. if it won't lock off, i want it within reach.

 

[ezzzekiel]

so you get called to a job to carry out maintenance on a fan in the loft where the isolator is above the bathroom door do you:
A. refuse as you cant isolate locally
B. isolate and place warning sign
C. isolate circuit at db and lock off.

 

[telectrix]

i was referring to if i was siting the isolator. obviously, if it's already in situ, your suggestion B is the only sensible one. i would, however make sure there were no muppets about.