Noisy bathroom extractor fan

[sentoffagain]

Hi, have a new, but noisy extractor fan, it is a 6" model in a small shower room. Was thinking of just changing the isolator switch for a dimmer switch and turning it down a bit. Will this work? What considerations are there?
Thanks for the help.

 

[JohnD]

a Centrifugal fan will generally be quieter and more powerful than an axial fan.

A light dimmer is not intended for controlling a fan.

If it is a major make (e.g. vent-Axia) you may be able to get a fan controller to match it.

For electrical safety you must have an isolator as well.

I expect that when you have the shower blasting and you are singing along, the fan will not seem so loud. If it is powerful and effective, it will prevent a lot of condenstion and mould.

 

[Lectrician]

What make is it? What sort of noise?

 

[sentoffagain]

What make is it? What sort of noise?

Hi Lectrician and JohnD

It is a Vectaire and the noise is the standard whirring you'd expect. On closer inspection it is obviously the motor because it freewheels in total silence once the isolator is turned off.

Agreed, when in the shower it isn't a problem for the occupant but it is linked to the lights so it activates when one goes to the toilet and goes on for minutes afterwards as well.

How do I tell whether it is Axial or centrifugal? This might appear a dumb question.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

 

[JohnD]

post a photo, or tell us the model number.
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=129539

An axial fan means that the fan is in line with the airflow. Like if you put an aircraft propellor in a pipe.

A centrifugal fan blows the air out sideways - the air goes in at the middle and comes out at the edge. Like a snail shell. they are sometimes known as snail blowers.

They sometimes have heart-shaped casings

edited: see http://www.vectaire.co.uk/domestic

edited again: the vectaire centrifugals look the same shape as Axials

 

[sentoffagain]

Understood,
In that case it is Axial, propeller in a cylinder.
it is an "A" Modular Extractor Fan