Should 3 pole isolation switch be marked at all?

[Safety First]

Sparky fitted one above bathroom doorway.

Wife couldn't reach so replaced it with pull cord version.

Now wanting to reuse the old switch for same job on another WC fan.

But noticed it has no markings at all on the outer face. Not a red patch, or on/ off. Why is that?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Sparky fitted one above bathroom doorway.
Wife couldn't reach so replaced it with pull cord version.

Why did she want to? That is not its purpose.
They are for isolating all the wires in the fan circuit for maintenance; not functional switching on and off.

You should have just fitted a pull cord as well.

Now wanting to reuse the old switch for same job on another WC fan.

Will that not lead to the same problem?

But noticed it has no markings at all on the outer face. Not a red patch, or on/ off. Why is that?

Some do, some don't.

Buy what you want.

 

[sparkwright]

3 pole fan switches are generally used for fans with over run facility, and are situated over the door for maintenance, and are not to be used in general use - normally.

Their appearance can vary vastly between different makes, no requirement for markings and red patches and the like.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

Don't understand - does your wife frequently do fan maintenance?

Oops - a bit late!

 

[333rocky333]

maybe you missed it, its often only visible in the OFF position, all isolators should be marked somehow Regulation 537.2.2.2

 

[EFLImpudence]

That regulation seems to have disappeared in the new book, but it only said "...shall be externally visible or clearly and reliably indicated...".

Anyway, for a fan isolator, it might as well be marked "This device is not actually required".


A bit like "Do not throw stones at this sign".

 

[AndyPRK]

I tend to use mine in winter to switch the fan off. Unless I’m showering that is.

 

[JohnW2]

A bit like "Do not throw stones at this sign".

In my mis-spent youth, one of my uni colleagues was an avid 'collector' (stealer) of 'signs', and his flat was almost 'wallpapered' with them!

One of which he was most proud was a fairly large, very nicely made, cast iron sign which he had unscrewed from a mainline train carriage. All it said was something like "It is an offence to remove this sign" - which, needless to say, had represented far too much temptation for him!!

That also reminds me of a story about someone who received in the post something which was labelled "Photographs Do not Bend". It was neatly folded in half, and someone had written on it "Oh yes they do"

Kind Regards, John

 

[scousespark]

Not to mention ‘wet paint’

 

[Safety First]

maybe you missed it, its often only visible in the OFF position, all isolators should be marked somehow Regulation 537.2.2.2

Thanks. Your answer......is an answer! I will have another look at it.
I have nevertheless bought a new one which not only is marked but also has a key to lock off the switch.

 

[Safety First]

Why did she want to? That is not its purpose.
They are for isolating all the wires in the fan circuit for maintenance; not functional switching on and off.

You should have just fitted a pull cord as well.


Will that not lead to the same problem?


Some do, some don't.

Buy what you want.

None of that is useful. Well done. There is a while thread on this of mine from years ago, about the mysteries of my wife and the 3 pole isolator. Fill your boots.

I only wanted to know about the markings.

333rocky333. Wins.

 

[333rocky333]

Thanks. Your answer......is an answer! I will have another look at it.
I have nevertheless bought a new one which not only is marked but also has a key to lock off the switch.

Bear in mind that reg has since been removed, pointed out by EFLImpudence , so may not apply to all isolaters made now.

Switches and Isolaters are two different beasts so maybe their BS standards dictates more

Your old post
https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/3-pole-fan-isolator-pull-cord-led-always-on.446999/