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.

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. How do I wire the fan in the bathroom to always go on when they have the lights on? The fan is a separate fixture - it is not a fan with lights.

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. Use this clear wiring diagram of how to connect up your timed fan to ensure you install your timer fan successfully. Don't want to do this job yourself? Let us help you find a tradesman local to you. An extractor fan is an essential part of any bathroom as it helps to remove the excess moist and humid air produced by the shower and keep any condensation build up to a minimum. In this guide we take a look at how a timed fan unit or extractor fan with a built in timer is wired up, read on to find out exactly how. Another point to be aware of is that in many installations a 3-pole isolation switch is fitted to the fan to allow it to be totally isolated from its electrical supply in the event it needs maintenance work. Also, ensure that you do actually use a 3-pole isolation switch as they are much more complete than a standard switch as they isolate all 3 wires that need isolating; permanent live, switched live and the neutral. Also, for timed unit extractor fans, as there is an extra cable you can use 3 core and earth, however if wiring a standard fan with no timed switch, 2 core and earth is fine. If you would like to know more about staying safe when working on and around electricity then check out our electrical safety project here. When it comes to the type of extractor fan found in a bathroom there are essentially 2 different types; time switched and non-time switched. The main difference between the 2 is that with a timed switch, when the unit is turned off it will run on for a set amount of time to finish clearing the bathroom and when the time expires it then turns itself off. This briefly covers the 2 main different types of extractor but for a full and detailed run down, see our types of extractor fan project here.

Extractor Fans with an integral timer or timed switch need a 3-core and earth supply to allow the unit to run on after a light is switched off. Although the fresh installation of a timed extractor fan unit should only be attempted by a Part P registered electrician, if you just need to replace an existing unit as its broken then you are allowed to do this. Again, if you are working on the ground floor then you may need to pop up some floor boards from above to run cables and access existing lighting circuits, how to wire an extractor fan to light 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. At present, I have two wires going into COM, and two wires going into L1 the blue wire doesn't go into the switch.

Updated on January 15, Bathroom fans with light fixtures are common these days. If you have this arrangement, you may want to wire the bathroom fan and the light and operate them from the same switch. So how do you wire a bathroom fan to a light switch? Wiring a bathroom fan to a light switch is very straightforward.

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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Terminals- Permanent live, switched live, neutral 3. Although the above guides look at the installation from start to finish, all the information to swap out your broken unit can be found also. This is what the extractor looks like with the insulation replaced. Step 1 — Isolate Power : As with all electrical work, before anything is done at all, make sure that the circuit being worked on is fully isolated in the fuse box or consumer unit. That's a 5 minute job, rewiring two switches is more like an hour, even for an electrician. Only if the fan and lights draw more than 15 amps combined. I'm a bit confused how the way it was wired previously allowed it to run in trickle mode when the switch would be off? C is Neutral Ignore the two wires going to the Lamp and ignore the two wires going to the light switch. Instead, we are going to install a new switch that will turn the fan on and off. Apologies for being dim, I am no electrician! This is safer than trying to do it from a ladder, but is still dangerous. Never work on a live circuit, you must ensure that the circuit that you are working on is isolated and cannot be switched back on accidentally.

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.

All electrical pages are for information only! I'll note that the one we have turned out to be a bit too sensitive and we ended up just putting it on a timer, but our shower's only used by two adults so we don't have the issues you have. Also, for timed unit extractor fans, as there is an extra cable you can use 3 core and earth, however if wiring a standard fan with no timed switch, 2 core and earth is fine. With a non-timed unit, as soon as the power is turned off then the unit shuts down. Centrifugal Fans. Shower Fans. If however an axial fan one through the wall is being installed this will need to go on an outside external wall. You must isolate the circuit that you are working on from the consumer unit or fuse box! Some dumb-ass may have put a nail in something, or bridged a circuit, or, or, or. In terms of each end when installing an inline fan, you will need both internal and external extractor fan vents.