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Electrical advice

steveo

mine to stay the same please
Joined
Aug 30, 2005
Messages
7,545
I've got a switch in an ensuite that turns the lights and extractor fan on together. Is it easy to install a seperate switch so the work independently?
 
I've got a switch in an ensuite that turns the lights and extractor fan on together. Is it easy to install a seperate switch so the work independently?

I think that is how it should be. Seperating them may contravene some sort of electrical certifiction.
 
I think DWB is right, its how its meant to be, although I think its something to do with building regs regarding sanitation and ventilation,
The theory being that with no window there is no ventilation and all toilets have to be ventilated, and as there is no window there is no light so they will only be used when a light is switched on thus ventilation is provided at the same time (thats the way I have always seen it although I may be miles out ....)

Checked it out a bit

Building regs

I assume that to ensure compliance the vent has to come on every time the wc is used
 
I think DWB is right, its how its meant to be, although I think its something to do with building regs regarding sanitation and ventilation,
The theory being that with no window there is no ventilation and all toilets have to be ventilated, and as there is no window there is no light so they will only be used when a light is switched on thus ventilation is provided at the same time (thats the way I have always seen it although I may be miles out ....)

Checked it out a bit

Building regs

I assume that to ensure compliance the vent has to come on every time the wc is used

Correct, but as you point out it depends if there is an opening window in the ensuite.

The wiring for the fan is in two parts:

One directly and permanently connected to the mains (be careful, I once found a fan where the sparky had saved a couple of metres of wire by using the Earth section of the cable for the permanent feed), and:

One feed to the switch which then connects to a Triac(?) in the fan which switches the mains power and thus the fan. A Triac is used because once "switched" it is easy to latch it with a high voltage/low current circuit (capacitor, usually) thus letting the fan run on for a couple of minutes after the light switch is turned off.
 
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