Hi all,
There's a lot of debate all over the forums about extractor fans, specifically timer ones, and how they should be installed.
I'm not an electrician but as far as I'm aware to meet regs the following is needed:
1. A fan isolator switch (located outside of the bathroom).
2. 3a FCU (if manufacturer instructions state this, located outside of the bathroom).
I've recently moved into a house and at the moment I have an in-line extractor fan located in the loft (no timer). It's turns on/off instantly with the light switch. The power to the bathroom is fused with a 3a FCU with the power coming from the previous light in bedroom 1 and this FCU is located above door height in the bathroom. I believe this is zone 2 and I'm not sure if this meets regs now or ever did (guess the bathroom was installed within the last 10 years).
What I'd like to do is replace the existing fan (it's incredibly loud and annoying, even in the loft) with a new quieter in-line fan but with a timer. Our bathroom has no window so I think a delayed timer function is much better and also meets regs.
Now, I think this bit is simple. A 3 core and earth cable from the light rose to an isolator switch (located outside the bathroom) and from the isolator to the new fan. Simples...(at least, I think it is).
The thing that's bugging me is this existing FCU. It's intercepting the previous ceiling rose cable. So if this fuse goes, it does it's job of cutting off the supply to the bathroom (light and fan) but also all of the remaining lights on the circuit. In this case, the bedroom 2 and landing light.
This has lead to me wondering:
1. Is this standard practice or is it best to configure the FCU in a way so it's only isolating the bathroom and not the remaining lights on the circuit?
2. Is an FCU above bathroom door height (inside zone 2 of the bathroom) passing regs or is it best to move the FCU outside the bathroom next to the new isolator switch?
3. Does an FCU for 3 core and earth cable exist? It would be much better to just fuse down the 3 core and earth (both switch live and permanent live) just before the isolator switch wouldn't it? Even better, an isolator switch with built in fuses for both switch and live).
Thanks,
Steve
There's a lot of debate all over the forums about extractor fans, specifically timer ones, and how they should be installed.
I'm not an electrician but as far as I'm aware to meet regs the following is needed:
1. A fan isolator switch (located outside of the bathroom).
2. 3a FCU (if manufacturer instructions state this, located outside of the bathroom).
I've recently moved into a house and at the moment I have an in-line extractor fan located in the loft (no timer). It's turns on/off instantly with the light switch. The power to the bathroom is fused with a 3a FCU with the power coming from the previous light in bedroom 1 and this FCU is located above door height in the bathroom. I believe this is zone 2 and I'm not sure if this meets regs now or ever did (guess the bathroom was installed within the last 10 years).
What I'd like to do is replace the existing fan (it's incredibly loud and annoying, even in the loft) with a new quieter in-line fan but with a timer. Our bathroom has no window so I think a delayed timer function is much better and also meets regs.
Now, I think this bit is simple. A 3 core and earth cable from the light rose to an isolator switch (located outside the bathroom) and from the isolator to the new fan. Simples...(at least, I think it is).
The thing that's bugging me is this existing FCU. It's intercepting the previous ceiling rose cable. So if this fuse goes, it does it's job of cutting off the supply to the bathroom (light and fan) but also all of the remaining lights on the circuit. In this case, the bedroom 2 and landing light.
This has lead to me wondering:
1. Is this standard practice or is it best to configure the FCU in a way so it's only isolating the bathroom and not the remaining lights on the circuit?
2. Is an FCU above bathroom door height (inside zone 2 of the bathroom) passing regs or is it best to move the FCU outside the bathroom next to the new isolator switch?
3. Does an FCU for 3 core and earth cable exist? It would be much better to just fuse down the 3 core and earth (both switch live and permanent live) just before the isolator switch wouldn't it? Even better, an isolator switch with built in fuses for both switch and live).
Thanks,
Steve
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