DIY - Wiring extractor fan with no timer to light switch.

[bluewhale]

Hi there.

Recently our bathroom extractor fan broke, so I got a new one but I'm having difficulty wiring it (homeowner DIY guy here).
So... there are 3 wires coming from bathroom wall:

1. brown (Live)
2. blue (Neutral)
3. yellow/green (Ground).

Previously, old extractor fan used all 3 of those wires since it had timer built in and within it it had 4 pin connector, that used oned 3 pins in (live,netural,ground) and 4 pins out through timer scheme.

However new fan has only 2 pin connector built in and I'm wondering, how to wire it so I can turn it with the right light switch (the one that previously only turned on extractor fan) or worst case scenario turn the fan together with light when left light switch is on?

I imagine I need to isolate brown (Live) wire, so it wouldn't run 24/7, but what about the rest? I'm totally lost.

Thank you in advance!

 

[brianmoooore]

If those were the only wires to the original fan, it did not have a built in timer, or at least didn't have one that was in use. It could possibly have a remote timer situated elsewhere, or there's the unacceptable and dangerous possibility that the green/yellow 'earth' wire is actually a live wire. In this case, electrician needed.
If your new fan only has two connections, then it does not have a built in timer (unless there's a pull cord hanging from it), and it is a class 2 appliance, which doesn't require an earth connection.

 

[bluewhale]

If those were the only wires to the original fan, it did not have a built in timer, or at least didn't have one that was in use. It could possibly have a remote timer situated elsewhere, or there's the unacceptable and dangerous possibility that the green/yellow 'earth' wire is actually a live wire. In this case, electrician needed.
If your new fan only has two connections, then it does not have a built in timer (unless there's a pull cord hanging from it), and it is a class 2 appliance, which doesn't require an earth connection.

Yeah, old one was triggered with second light switch. I'm pretty sure that ground is ground.. so question is, should I tuck and isolate live and use only neutral?

 

[littlespark]

It does sound like the earth has been used as a live.

Long shot, but did you take a photo of the connections before disconnecting?

You need a voltage tester, and the knowledge and understanding to use it properly.
If there’s power on the earth wire… you have got a serious issue.

 

[bluewhale]

I double checked it - brown is live for sure, yellow/green is ground. Blue I suppose was used to switch old fan with 4pins. I swallowed my ego and I called local electritian to come and simply check the wiring (if its okay) and connect the fan - I don't feel comfortable doing it myself anymore for obvious reasons

Thanks for all replies - I will drop a message and picture tomorrow.

 

[bluewhale]

Thanks @brianmoooore and @littlespark for input. Luckily ground was not even needed nor it was putting out any electricity.
Got to isolate brown wire in the end and everything worked like a charm.

 

[brianmoooore]

So you have a fan working with just one supply wire (the blue) connected?