Isolating Switch

[Munroast]

Just had an electrician in the workshop wire up a extractor fan (toilet) and he has just connected it directly to the lights, no isolating switch to disconnect it from the lights - is that allowed ?

it does not matter about it running for 5 minutes after the lights are switched off as they are on all the time the workshop is in use)

 

[Wayners]

This needs to be answered by a sparks as I'm not. It's a common question though.

Fan needs to be on a day timer or movement sensor really so triggered when someone enters.
Lights need a sensor as well.
Is it running 24/7?
Also a air vent to allow air in so extractor can suck air out.
Has this been assessed?

 

[ericmark]

An extractor fan in a workshop comes under different rules to in a bathroom. We are looking at risk assessments, and why you need a fan etc.

So when I worked in one factory the extractor fan was wired through a current monitor, and the machines could not run unless the extractor was drawing current.

So why does the workshop need an extractor, I know non-leaded solder needs a flux which is far worse than the lead, so the extractors need to be running.

So it is cheaper to be running all the time to having sensors to work out when it is required. As to switched with lights, if there are windows, than that is not really an option, as lights could be switched off.

 

[Munroast]

This needs to be answered by a sparks as I'm not. It's a common question though.

Fan needs to be on a day timer or movement sensor really so triggered when someone enters.
Lights need a sensor as well.
Is it running 24/7?
Also a air vent to allow air in so extractor can suck air out.
Has this been assessed?

the lights in the toilet are on when the workshop is being used, so not on 24/7
no one cleans in toilet now so it stinks, I want the fan running when it workshop to keep the smell at bay
plenty space under door for free air movement

I'm just curious if sparky has done the job properly, I would have thought an isolating switch mandatory

 

[pete01]

You don't need an isolator but in your case it might have been handy as you don't want the fan running constantly I assume.

 

[ebee]

the most important thing to me is can it be stopped easily and readily by all all who might need to.
if it is purely connected along with a fan and the whole lot together or separately can be switch off then ok.
if its got timed overun or such then it needs to be capable of being switched off.
it might need to be switched off for mechanical maintenance, if it stalles, cleaning etc and it desireble to still have the light capable of running sometimes.
so it depends what you are trying to achieve

 

[jj4091]

Just had an electrician in the workshop wire up a extractor fan (toilet) and he has just connected it directly to the lights, no isolating switch to disconnect it from the lights - is that allowed ?

it does not matter about it running for 5 minutes after the lights are switched off as they are on all the time the workshop is in use)

You just need some means of isolating it which the light switch appears to be doing.

 

[mattylad]

Find the cable supplying the power to it and add an isolator inline.
I find that fans in commercial toilets do not last as long as we would like them to as they are running a lot more.
Yet the cheapest one is always what's purchased.

So to me an isolator is more important as your likely to need to replace that fan in a couple of years time.
Get the electrician back to amend the installation.

 

[333rocky333]

The fan instructions likely stare have double pole isolation, not to sure what current regs say regarding following them nowadays

 

[mikehammer69]

The fan instructions likely stare have double pole isolation, not to sure what current regs say regarding following them nowadays

3amp fusing if I recall

 

[333rocky333]

From memory yes they recommended a 3a fuse but usually stated not necessary if on a 5a or 6a circuit

 

[martygturner]

You have an isolator is called the lighting fuse/mcb/rcbo in the main consumer unit what you are talking about is a convenience isolator so that the entire circuit does not need to be turned off for maintenance.. on the other hand the manufactures requirements are king, so what does the fan model say about fusing the unit...because that's what really matters isolating the unit in the event of a over current fault - ie the fan gets clogged up with dust and water and starts to draw more and more power to keep spinning,you might need a switched fcu or a simple fcu without switch... remember pulling the fuse will isolate the unit.

I bought a small manrose for a small toilet which stated that a 1amp fuse was required that went straight back..

Pretty sure your electrician looked at the whole installation rather than just the end of it.

 

[jj4091]

Pretty sure your electrician looked at the whole installation rather than just the end of it.

Exactly, hence post #7

 

[JohnW2]

The fan instructions likely stare have double pole isolation, not to sure what current regs say regarding following them nowadays

For quite some time, BS7671 has only required that one "takes account of" MIs (rather than the earlier reg requiring one to comply with MIs), whatever that may mean ...

134.1.1 ...... The installation of electrical equipment shall take account of manufacturers' instructions.

As I'm sure you are aware, BS7671 does not require a dedicated isolator for anything (other than the entire installation).