Bathroom fan isolator

[RWD3M]

Hi chaps, particularly the sparkies,

I'm currently having a replacement en suite installed and my bathroom fitter has just come out with something that has me a little confused. He says I should have an isolation switch for the extractor fan?

It's just a regular inline extractor fan with timer, mounted in the attic, drawing out of the ceiling. Does it need an isolator?

 

[Mark 5]

Hi chaps, particularly the sparkies,

I'm currently having a replacement en suite installed and my bathroom fitter has just come out with something that has me a little confused. He says I should have an isolation switch for the extractor fan?

It's just a regular inline extractor fan with timer, mounted in the attic, drawing out of the ceiling. Does it need an isolator?

Indeed your sparky is correct, your fan does need to have an isolation switch fitted, it's a simple job, just an extra switch but a must.

EDIT, If your was the replacement of an existing fan on it's own, the requirement isn't there but wouldn't meet current regs, your is a refit so an isolation switch is a requirement.

But even as one off replacement best practise is to install an isolation switch.

 

[RWD3M]

Thanks Mark, much obliged.

 

[brightspark]

if the fan is on the same floor as the distribution board and fitted with a breaker on the lighting circuit that it is on you do not require one fitted as the mcb is the isolator. if its on a different floor it is required but id fit one no matter what . its a silly reg not needing one on same floor but there you go

 

[sparkysy]

You may also find that the manufacturer instructions require a 3a fuse in circuit.

Ahem yes fellow sparks I am fully aware that the 6a MCB is doing a fine job already but regs say MI are important!

Anyhoo this will do both, fuse and isolator.
This is what I use on all my fan installations.

3 Pole Fan Isolator Switch c/w 3A Fuse - White | Scolmore (CMA3020)

 

[Turbo]

We got a new bathroom recently and I fitted the fan switch alongside the existing electric shower switch using a deep backing box.
The bathroom fitter was impressed how neat it looked and it is wired so that the fan comes on with the shower.

 

[RWD3M]

You may also find that the manufacturer instructions require a 3a fuse in circuit.

Ahem yes fellow sparks I am fully aware that the 6a MCB is doing a fine job already but regs say MI are important!

Anyhoo this will do both, fuse and isolator.
This is what I use on all my fan installations.

3 Pole Fan Isolator Switch c/w 3A Fuse - White | Scolmore (CMA3020)

Thanks for the link, TLC are my electrical supplier of choice

 

[brightspark]

View attachment 495611

We got a new bathroom recently and I fitted the fan switch alongside the existing electric shower switch using a deep backing box.
The bathroom fitter was impressed how neat it looked and it is wired so that the fan comes on with the shower.

and if you have wired the fan isolator of the shower pull switch output it shouldnt be. it should be on a 6 amp circuit. not of a 30 or a 42 amp supply it looks to be a 13 amp fused switch spur fused down