How to wire an extractor fan to light switch

Learn how to wire a bathroom extractor fan with a timer to an existing light switch or new independent switch.

Discussion in ' Electricians' Talk ' started by betj , Sep 10, Log in or Sign up. Screwfix Community Forum. I have a bathroom with a light and an extractor fan this one going into a single light switch. The extractor fan is wired so that it is always running in trickle mode, but when you hit the light switch it goes into a boost mode as well as turning on the light. I would like to change this so that I have a double light switch that can have the light on without turning the fan onto boost mode at the same time.

How to wire an extractor fan to light switch

Choosing the right extractor fan can be a minefield, with so many different options available, picking the perfect fan that ticks all the boxes can take longer than you would expect. But there is nothing more irritating than choosing the perfect unit only to find out that it is not compatible with your existing wiring! In this article we are going to look at the different styles and functions available and how these options depend on three possible wiring options. All extractor fans need electricity to run, however, depending on the functionality the wiring can differ. The most basic wiring option consists of a Constant Live wire and a Neutral wire to complete the circuit. Options which will work with this type of wiring include fans with built in pull cords, passive infra-red PIR movement sensors or humidity triggered sensors Humidistat. The next wiring configuration is possibly the most common found in older buildings and can cause issues when looking to upgrade an existing unit. This configuration consists of a Switched Live wire and a Neutral wire. The Switched Live generally will come from the light switch but occasionally it may be attached to a stand-alone switch purely for operating the fan. This means that power will only reach the fan unit when either the lights are turned on or the stand alone switch is operated and the fan will turn off as soon as the lights are turned off or the stand alone switch is deactivated. This latter option can allow you to control the fan as normal from the light switch when the built in fan pull cord is in the on position, but allows you to also turn the fan off via the built in pull cord which will allow the light to be used without triggering the fan. This can be useful in en suite bathrooms where you want to be able to use the bathroom at night without the noise of the fan disturbing light sleepers.

Best answer: I'd replace the switch with a timer switch before I rewired anything.

You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments. How to wire a bathroom fan to go on with light switch? My teens are trashing a bathroom by steaming it up until everything molds. They take unreasonably long showers and do not turn on the fan. A better parent would somehow convince them to stop doing this, but I give up.

This article describes how mains powered extractor fans of the type often found in bathrooms and shower rooms can be wired. Extractor fans in bathrooms are frequently powered from a lighting circuit. This is because many include a "run on" capability that is triggered by the operation of the light switch, and it is not permitted to have a device powered from two separate circuits. Also UK bathrooms have traditionally not included power sockets, so it is common to not have any general purpose power circuits available in the room. Fans in other locations may be more commonly powered from a fused spur taken from a socket circuit.

How to wire an extractor fan to light switch

Home » Bathroom Exhaust Fans. Sometimes you just want the light on a separate switch so you can turn it on without making any sound. The biggest thing to consider is that you may need to route a new wiring cable from the bathroom fan to the wall switch. Keep reading to learn the supplies that you'll need, and our step-by-step guide on how to do the wiring. Probably the most important thing to know about wiring a bath fan and light on separate switches is that you will need to run a new wiring cable from the bathroom fan to the existing switch. But if you want to wire a fan and light to separate switches, you will need two hots running from the bath fan to the wall switch.

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As we have stated above, if an extractor fan is being installed from scratch then this will need to be done by a qualified Part P registered electrician. Now it's much easier as you only have six wires two cables to think about. Generally, power is taken from the easiest circuit that can be reached. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. But there is nothing more irritating than choosing the perfect unit only to find out that it is not compatible with your existing wiring! You can see that the pipe extends right out to the soffit, where it is connected to a vent. The 3 pole switch ensures complete disconnection of supply to the fan so that maintenance can be carried out safely, without the need for a qualified electrician to disconnect the wiring N. A larger diameter hole stated in the instructions is drilled in the ceiling above the shower, bath etc. Some dumb-ass may have put a nail in something, or bridged a circuit, or, or, or. Is the suggestion to move one of the L1's into a COM? I am doing this by standing with my arm out of the shower room window. Find a Reliable Local Tradesman. That works. A better parent would somehow convince them to stop doing this, but I give up.

Discussion in ' Electricians' Talk ' started by jhs2zz , Jan 23, Log in or Sign up.

When you operate the shower room light the fan switches on automatically and switches off after a set period of time. Apologies, but we don't seem to have a video for this project yet, but we will do our best to get one up soon. Once this has been done your electrician will then issue you with a works certificate to state that all has been done to the required regulations. This shows how the fan is arranged. Apologies for being dim, I am no electrician! Could it be that there are two switch wires for the fan? It gives a live feed to both switches, as you had it before the fan switch had no feed that's why only the light worked. If installing an inline fan, this will need to be positioned and screwed down to a flat and level surface, ideally between the point that air is being extracted and then being expelled. Last edited: Sep 10, Again, if installing a axial fan through the wall you may need to chase out a section of wall to run the cable to the fan. If you cannot access it then you will have to vent through one of the walls. Firstly the supply from the 3-pole isolator switch should be connected in to the junction box using a suitable 1mm or 1. In a similar manner, the junction box for the live feed is then wired to the FCU, again, each wire connected to the correct live, neutral and earth terminals. So at least check for that.