extractor fan isolator switch

[sparkattack]

hi, is there a requirement to fit a fan isolator switch if there is a window in the bathroom for a timed wall mounted bathroom extractor fan. also according to my regs book as far as i can make out your allowed to use a 230v extractor and light above shower cubicle as long as ipx4, am i correct?

cheers

 

[Manator]

Any item with a permanant live should have an isolator, the reason why bathroom fans ultimately require one is for safe isolation of the fan whilst keeping the light circuit on for maintenannce, safety reasons. Most combined fan and shower lights I have fit are IP65 the light being 12V and the fan an inline type and away from harms reach.

 

[sparkattack]

turning off the mcb or pulling fuse is an isolator isnt it and if there is a window that allows light for maintenance doesnt it?

 

[Manator]

Not appropriate if the fan develops a fault during the night. You would have to isolate all upstairs lighting to replace or work on the fan, unless it had its own feed, then you could label that this unit isolates from another location for instance, but good practice for any item with a permanant live feed is to provide safe isolation.

 

[Evans Electric]

Sparkattack, you can't make up your own rules , it gets you nowhere .

I tried it once, thought I'd drive on the right hand side of the road , but there was no future in it.

And windows ,of course , only seem to let in light during the daytime.

 

[sparkattack]

just so happens i only work when light but guess an isolator will have to go in. do they do pull cord triple pole isolators?

 

[Evans Electric]

Yes I think there is one on the market.............yes its a Basics from Denmans @

 

[spinlondon]

You can even get those pull cord thingies with neons.

 

[sparkattack]

cheers, think il go for that

 

[ProDave]

Not appropriate if the fan develops a fault during the night. You would have to isolate all upstairs lighting to replace or work on the fan, unless it had its own feed, then you could label that this unit isolates from another location for instance, but good practice for any item with a permanant live feed is to provide safe isolation.

Playing devils advocate here.

What about smoke alarms?

I've encountered a few mains powered smokes fed from a lighting circuit. Yes I know, not good practice.

But if that IS done, then by the same rules as bathroom fans, a mains smoke fed from a lighting circuit should surely have an isolator next to it as well.

Discuss.

 

[Manator]

Very true, and I agree with the idea behind your post, however as its a special location I feel the safety aspect is far more important than the argument that other items may, or may not be excluded from isolation.

Good point though.

 

[sparkattack]

my electricians guide to osg says says isolator is only required if there is no window. page 65.

 

[Sidewinder]

I don't care about the osg, check the statutory regulations, i.e LAW of the LAND in EAWR89, MHSWR & PUWER98 amongst a few others then once you have a legal case for not fitting one then you are fine.

 

[spinlondon]

This bathroom, is it part of an installation where the quoted Regulations apply?

 

[sparky b]

Why don't you want to fit an isolator?

 

[sparkattack]

legal case for not fitting an isolator?!

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 21:58 ---------- Previous post was made at 21:56 ----------

more work obviously+expensive

 

[steptoe]

more work to fit an isolator?

20mins or so and a fiver for a SFS.

oh, as for a legal case,

what about local isolation?

remember that a fan has moving parts.

 

[Sidewinder]

This bathroom, is it part of an installation where the quoted Regulations apply?

Spin, is this related to my post?

 

[Manator]

Spin, is this related to my post?

It could be one of mine

 

[Sidewinder]

You never know with him!