Accessibility of a low voltage transformer

rustynails · Aug 30, 2015

Have come across a low voltage transformer which has been placed in the ceiling above a shower not accessible at all which means the customer cannot change the time period on the overrun. I can't find anything in the regs that says the transformer needs to be accessible. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

uksparks · Aug 30, 2015

Look under accessibility of switches and things like that within the regs and you will find something.

Redvanman · Aug 30, 2015

Try 132.12 (ii)

Octopus · Aug 30, 2015

What makes you interested in this? An EICR?

Adam W · Aug 30, 2015

Connections must be accessible unless 'maintenance-free' (soldered, brazed, crimped), plus the fan will need replacing at the end of it's life.
How have you 'come across' this transformer if it's not accessible?

rustynails · Aug 31, 2015

yeh eicr. customer told me transformer was put in ceiling void, said he didn't mind because the sparky had set it to a couple of minutes and he had an isolator.

Midwest · Aug 31, 2015

In-line fans have the same adjustment dials. They are installed in loft spaces. If the loft space is inaccessible, i.e. flat roof, then the transformer would have to be installed somewhere suitable in the room below. If that isn't the case in this instant, then perhaps the customer needs to consider repositiong the existing tranny when it fails.

davesparks · Aug 31, 2015

It's no different to a downlight transformer. Of it fails you take the fan down and pull the transformer out.

rustynails · Aug 31, 2015

davesparks said:
It's no different to a downlight transformer. Of it fails you take the fan down and pull the transformer out.

True it isn't except you can't fiddle with the overrun time, so it would have been set and buried...

davesparks · Sep 1, 2015

rustynails said:
True it isn't except you can't fiddle with the overrun time, so it would have been set and buried...

Why would you want to fiddle with it? Once it's set it's set, it doesn't wander and need constant adjusting, and if it does it's rogered and needs replacing

Adam W · Sep 1, 2015

davesparks said:
Why would you want to fiddle with it? Once it's set it's set, it doesn't wander and need constant adjusting, and if it does it's rogered and needs replacing

:iagree:
Most, if not all, overun timers can't be adjusted without the use of a tool. Presumably it's supposed to be set with the room characteristics taken into consideration to extract smells and condensation to prevent the growth of mould, or "damp". Once this has been set the end user should have no need to tinker around with it on a whim.
If there's an isolator the user can switch it off if they need to, just the same as with any other bathroom fan.