Hi, We have a new bathroom fan installed by our builder but he has got the cheapest possible and wired it to the light switch (with a fuse).

Can I cheaply and easily add a timing device to make the fan stay on for 2 mins after a shower say?

Cheers!

The cheapest option is just to replace the fan with a fan with a timer over run. Can't think of a cheaper way to do it.

Sorry!

you would have to change the wiring as well. it should be to a triple-pole fan isolator not a fcu. also he should have given you a cert for installing it with wiring.
if he is a builder then get him back because he should know it needs a timer fan in a bathroom.

A humidity fan is another alternative. You wouldn't need to change the wiring except alter the wiring so it is permanently live. It will only work after you've had a shower though.

Another alternative is a pir controlled fan which comes on with movement. But these are expensive.

...what does this mean? "it should be to a triple-pole fan isolator not a fcu"

Also, aren't there any timers for switches I can add? Surely that would be the ticket?

Thanks for the replies.

You can get time lag switches. but these are made normally for outside lights http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/ ... 3wodB04H3Q

But as you can see they are not cheap. Also if the switch for the light is on the same switch as the fan, your going to have to chase another back box out onto the wall.

I would just change the fan personally

If you wanted to change the fan to a timer over run fan then yes you will need a triple pole switch plus the wiring will have to be altered to acomadate this.

Why don't you get the builder back and tell him to do the job right. And ask for a certificate at the same time

My builder is v cheap but a good worker and so I think he will laugh if I ask for a certificate.

I looked at the wiring for the bathroom: outside switch (2 switches for a landing light and bathroom light+fan) - in the switch there and two 2 cores and one 3 core. All neutrals are connected together. One live goes to one switch and loops to the other switch. The other two lives(?) come from the other side of the two switches and disappear back up the cable.

At the fan there are two cables coming in, one 2 core and one 3 core. grey wire not connected, live and neutrals both connected to the motor together.

So there is a 3 core there for future use I guess, but why the complicated wiring? Please done Sherlock Homes hats now!

Please be careful if you're using un-registered cowboys, it can bite you in the leg.

A pic may be a good idea.

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My car is fast, doesn't mean I am allowed to speed.

Your builder has to provide a certificate for the works regardless of being cheap.

Otherwise how do you know he has done the work correctly? Which from the sound of it he hasn't.

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Kind Regards,

Dan Robinson - http://www.jenningsheating.co.uk

If you give’m choices they'll give you grief.

he isn't a cowboy as he came highly recommended by 3 people, but the wiring does look iffy (though it is all fused) and besides, the whole house wiring is bad as 100+ years of bodges have taken its toll

He is working in a notifiable zone, so it must be certificated and notified to the Building department by Law.

If he can't do that then you will have to get someone that can, which could mean starting again, if the wiring is that bad, it's even more important to get it right.

Highly recommended or not, if he isn't registered to do the work, he's a cowboy and working illegally.

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He still needs to provide a certififcate. If he is doing work he is not certified to do then he is by definition .... well you know.

I am not having a go at you, but electricity, humidity, steam, wet fingers =

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Kind Regards,

Dan Robinson - http://www.jenningsheating.co.uk

If you give’m choices they'll give you grief.

If the wiring is bad it may be compulsory to do some updates to comply with the Wiring Regulations.

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I'm sorry - I can't come in to work today, the voices are telling me to stay at home and clean the guns.

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