Bathroom fan. Timer or Humidistat

[nimh]

I want to change a fan in the bathroom from a normal pullcord one to either one with a timer or with a humidistat.

Which one is better and why or is it personal preference?

Do both need three core and earth cable and does this mean they will need a permanent and switched live?

Anything else I need to know which might affect which one to install?

Thanks

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I want to change a fan in the bathroom from a normal pullcord one to either one with a timer or with a humidistat.

Which one is better and why or is it personal preference?

Depends what your budget is? xpelair do a range of varying models in quality and price, I have never had a problem with the brand.

Do both need three core and earth cable and does this mean they will need a permanent and switched live?

For over run/timer fans you will require a permanent live and this can be acquired by using three core and earth cables.

Anything else I need to know which might affect which one to install?

You will need a suitable sized fan for the cubic area of the room to extracted, also so air can be circulated correctly placement of the fan is important. Plus when purchasing or pre-purchase of the fan be aware of the manufacturers instruction as they should ideally be complied to. There will be a need to install a fan isolator or switched fused connection.
Then don't forget that the location comes under notifiable work, if it is not a straight forward replacement and new cables are being installed. Plus the requirement of RCD protection, if not already available for existing circuit.

 

[nimh]

Thank you for the reply. If I did not want to run a permanent live which fan/s would only run off of a switched live.

Timer, humidistat?


Thanks in advance.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Neither.......................You need a permanent live for both fans.

Andy

 

[JohnW2]

Neither.......................You need a permanent live for both fans.

That's certainly true, but it's not immediately obvious to me why a fan with a humidistat would, per se, require a 'switched live' unless one wanted some other switching functionality (such as coming on with lights, or over-ride of the humidistat) in addition to the humidistat-controlled functionality.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Lectrician]

I personally favour humidistats these days, but only decent ones.

You do not need a timed fan if you use a standalone humidistat. You just need one which has L/N/E terminals. (although the earth is not required on most these days).

Ventaxia do a new(ish) "Ambient Response Humidistat", and while it is quite expensive, it is very good at detecting steam/moisture, without the un-necessary false triggering that occurs with cheaper models. I have one, and the only times it runs is when showering or taking a steamy bath, you never hear it in the night, or randomly during the day.

I have it connected to an inline loft mounted centrifugal fan. The humidistat itself has a pull cord to override if you wish.