Fan Isolator

[ldoodle]

I tend to see them above the door outside the bathroom. Is there any reg stating it must be outside?

As long as it's in a safe zone, could it be inside. Red box above door:

View media item 77412
?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

You can have them within the bathroom, obviously the manufacturers literature would suggest whether they are suitable for the location.

 

[ldoodle]

Thanks. It's an MK Logic Plus one. The PDF (from TLC) has no mention of zones:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...ite_Mk_Accessories/Fan_Switches_MK/index.html

http://www.tlc-
direct.co.uk/Technical/DataSheets/MK/3_Pole_Fan_Isolator.pdf

 

[JohnW2]

I tend to see them above the door outside the bathroom. Is there any reg stating it must be outside? As long as it's in a safe zone, could it be inside. Red box above door:

What do you mean by 'in a safe zone'- are you referring to the cable going to it?

No sort of switch (and that would include a fan isolator) is allowed within the 'zones' (0, 1 or 2) of a bathroom. From you diagram, it looks as if your suggested position could well be within 600mm of the edge of the bath, hence in zone 2 unless it were more than 2.25m above finished floor level (would it be?).

There is also, as is being discussed, the issue of whether the accessory in question is considered suitable for use in a damp/bathroom environment.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ldoodle]

Was getting mixed up between normal 'safe zones' and bathroom zones. I meant bathroom zones.

Ceiling is 2.4m high. There's what, 300mm between top of architrave and ceiling, so bang in the middle of that would be 2250mm.

But it will be higher than that because of the concrete lintel above the door.

 

[JohnW2]

Was getting mixed up between normal 'safe zones' and bathroom zones. I meant bathroom zones. ... Ceiling is 2.4m high. There's what, 300mm between top of architrave and ceiling, so bang in the middle of that would be 2250mm. ... But it will be higher than that because of the concrete lintel above the door.

Fair enough - as I said, if its higher than 2250mm, then it's out of the zones, and therefore OK, so long as the accessory is deemed to be suitable for the (steamy) environment. Unfortunately, as you're probably finding, manufacturers are not necessarily very helpful in indicating what environments are OK for their accessories!

Kind Regards, John

 

[ldoodle]

Managed to find the MK 'guide' for it:

http://www.mkelectric.com/Documents...ces/Albany Plus/10AMP 3 pole fan isolator.pdf

"The 3 Pole Fan Isolator can be installed in bathrooms,
but only under the strictest of conditions. It must be out
of reach of any person using the bath or shower.
For guidance see the current edition of the IEE wiring
regulations (BS 7671)."

 

[ldoodle]

deemed to be suitable for the (steamy) environment

Are pull cords explicitly designed for steamy environments? They don't appear to have any IP protection.

PS: The fan i'm installing has a run-on timer. I guess I need 3 core + earth to wire it up as such?

 

[JohnW2]

Are pull cords explicitly designed for steamy environments? They don't appear to have any IP protection.

Probably not, which goes to demonstrate how silly these rules can be at times!

PS: The fan i'm installing has a run-on timer. I guess I need 3 core + earth to wire it up as such?

Your guess is correct.

Kind Regards, John