Bathroom extractor fan pull cord switch broke

[starfire]

Hi,

The pullcord switch for our bathroom extractor fan has broken and needs replacing. The switch directly controls the fan turning it on and off, it has no timer.

I bought a new 2 way 6A pullcord switch thinking this would be OK, but on looking at the existing switch it has black+red wires coming to one side marked IN and black+red wires on the other side (ie 4 connections in total not counting the 2 earth).

My new switch only has L1, L2 and COM. I've got a feeling the existing switch is a double poll? Presumably I should only replace it with a double poll and my new switch is no use?

Any advice welcome!

Thanks.

 

[Adam_151]

Yes, you should take back your switch and obtain a double pole one

You could make it work by joining the neutrals and just switching the phase, but I'm 99.9% sure the switch is an isolator in this case and must switch all live conductors

 

[RF Lighting]

My new switch only has L1, L2 and COM. I've got a feeling the existing switch is a double poll? Presumably I should only replace it with a double poll and my new switch is no use?

I'm afraid you are correct on all three counts.

Sorry.

 

[starfire]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies chaps!

I'll try and find somewhere local selling a DP pullcord switch...

Thing is, why is the extractor fan switched like this but presumably the light switch just uses a single pole one like I purchased?

 

[RF Lighting]

Like adam said in your installation the pull switch is acting as an isolator to the fan rather than a switch for it.

 

[starfire]

Ok, cheers.

 

[AndyPRK]

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