Bathroom fan options

[Lickdan]

Hi looking at changing an ugly non working 9 inch fan that is wired above fan to fcu
Just wondered what’s peoples ideas about this regarding type of fan and regs, wanting something not so bulky but guess I’ll need to go into the hole already there ideas please

 

[JohnD]

if the case is 9" square, the duct is probably 6" diameter and it will be called a 150mm fan. Can you check that?

Does it go straight through the wall?

is it above a bath or shower tray?

what is its height above the floor?

do you know why it doesn't work? Is the fuse removed?

 

[Lickdan]

Hi thanks for reply
Will measure up and get back in morning,

it goes straight through wall

above bath

will need to measure approx 1-5 to 1.8m from floor

not worked since moved in could be fuse, although I couldn’t open fan originally but have managed to open it on the string earlier so will check fuse also, although I will want to change it for something a bit more newer

 

[JohnD]

as it's above the bath, and less than 2250mm above the floor, it will need to be either Safe Extra-Low Voltage, or rated as water resitant to IPX5 (protected against water jets from all directions, e.g. a shower.

would you be able to fit one higher; or above the ceiling venting through the eaves or something?

Modern fans with ball-bearing motors can be very quiet, and are usually wired with the ceiling lamp.

Soler & Palau do some very good IP45 fans, you need one to suit your duct size.

This one is a 5-inch. It slides into the duct and only the grille and surround project.
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SLS200CRZ.html

And this is the 6-inch. More power so will cope with a steamy shower.
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SLS300CRZ.html

S&P also own the "Envirovent" brand name, and you can sometimes get the same product at a lower price.

 

[Lickdan]

Hi this is 6 inch duct

 

[Lickdan]

Hi you say ipx5 but fans in links are ip45 ?

 

[Lickdan]

Would it be possible to get a 6 inch fan wire to the fuse and have a pir fitted, or fit a 1p4 fan with pull cord ?

 

[Lickdan]

https://www.i-sells.co.uk/mob/prod_detail.php?cPath=1599_1109&products_id=48622

That would go in ?

 

[JohnW2]

Hi you say ipx5 but fans in links are ip45 ?

IPX5 means that the first number (which relates to ingress of solid objects etc., rather than liquids/water which are the second number) can be anything - so IP45 (or IP25, or IP55) IS IPX5.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnD]

Would it be possible to get a 6 inch fan wire to the fuse and have a pir fitted, or fit a 1p4 fan with pull cord ?

Why don't you like the lightswitch control?

 

[Lickdan]

Yea mate looking for a straight swap minimal work to be honest, want to work with what’s there. Have come across this version in chrome ip45 and also have humidistat version. Do you know if the humidistat version just needs wiring to the mains and will come on and off on its own ? Thanks

 

[EFLImpudence]

IPX5 means that the first number (which relates to ingress of solid objects etc., rather than liquids/water which are the second number) can be anything - so IP45 (or IP25, or IP55) IS IPX5.

Although sort of correct, surely the first number will always be equal to or greater than the second.

Nothing can be IP25 ?

 

[JohnW2]

Although sort of correct, surely the first number will always be equal to or greater than the second.

As in "IP45" (which, as has been said, is quite common), you mean?

Nothing can be IP25 ?

As you will realise, I just picked the '2' out of the air to illustrate that, as far as IP terminology is concerned, "X" can represent any number - but I agree that, in practice, IP25 would be difficult to achieve (but see below **). However, I think IP45 is quite credible - given considerations such as surface tension etc., I can well imagine that if one aimed a modest jet of water at a hole <1mm (maybe a lot less than 1mm, but not small enough to be IP5X), no water would get through.

[ ** I would need to look up the forces and pressures specified for the IP tests but ... if one imagines a sprung (or even just 'very stiff') hinged flap closing a hole >12.5mm, one could push a tool (or finger through it), but if the spring was strong enough, even a fairly high pressure water jet would not be able to open it. The letterboxes on my house are good examples of that - I can easily push my finger through them, but I can also aim my hosepipe at them without any water entering - so if that was on an enclosure, I suspect it might well pass the tests for "IP25" ]

Kind Regards, John

 

[Lickdan]

So can I please clarify, if I fit the German bauberg calm 150 fan with pull cord and timer, am I ok fitting as it’s ip45 and suitable for zone 1 , is like for like installation into 3a fuse and also on a trip. I’m all ok with regs I believe?

 

[JohnW2]

So can I please clarify, if I fit the German bauberg calm 150 fan with pull cord and timer, am I ok fitting as it’s ip45 and suitable for zone 1 , is like for like installation into 3a fuse and also on a trip. I’m all ok with regs I believe?

IP45 is more than adequate for Zone 1 (the regs only require a minimum of IPX4). However, the regs also require that it is "suitable for installation in zone 1 according to the manufacturer’s instructions" - so, if you wanted to be compliant with the regs, you would have to check that.

If, as I understand it, you would be replacing an existing extractor fan, then I don't think this would count as an "addition or alteration to an existing circuit" but, if it did, this work in Zone 1 would be 'notifiable work', which would require you to pay £££ to your local authority or else employ a 'self-certifying' (really 'self-notifying') electrician to do the work.

Kind Regards, John