Extractor fan – Is a re-wire change to change timer duration?

[robinsmith30]

This is my first post to seek advice from experts as a non-electrician, as to whether what I am being told is correct.

We have recently been supplied an Xplelair inline extractor fan with timer in our bathroom. The electrician fitted it such that when the bathroom light is switched off, the fan switches off. We have asked for this to be changed such that the timer can be used (i.e. the fan switches off 10 minutes after the light is switched off). We have been told that the fan needs to rewired to do this at our cost.

This sounds a bit suspicious to me. Does such a change typically need re-wiring?

I’ve done a little research, and there only seems to be one wiring diagram shown http://www.taps4less.com/pdf/Xpelair-Axial-Inline-Shower-Fan.pdf
However, I’m not an electrician, so seek advice if anyone knows whether the electricians position is reasonable.
Kind regards,

Robin

 

[Hawk81]

It all depends on what cables go to the fan very hard to answer without more info

why are you getting an electrician that you don't trust to do your work??
Or why are people always suspicious of electricians???

 

[Octopus]

This is my first post to seek advice from experts as a non-electrician, as to whether what I am being told is correct.

We have recently been supplied an Xplelair inline extractor fan with timer in our bathroom. The electrician fitted it such that when the bathroom light is switched off, the fan switches off. We have asked for this to be changed such that the timer can be used (i.e. the fan switches off 10 minutes after the light is switched off). We have been told that the fan needs to rewired to do this at our cost.

This sounds a bit suspicious to me. Does such a change typically need re-wiring?

I’ve done a little research, and there only seems to be one wiring diagram shown http://www.taps4less.com/pdf/Xpelair-Axial-Inline-Shower-Fan.pdf
However, I’m not an electrician, so seek advice if anyone knows whether the electricians position is reasonable.
Kind regards,

Robin

What makes you think you have the timer version? There are a number of versions of the fan.

 

[robinsmith30]

Hi guys,

Thank you for your prompt response. The reason I think I have the timer version, and the reason I am suspicious is that the written quote lists the following line item
1 Xpelair Fan White
Xplelair Inline Extractor Fan with Timer
So I think it is reasonable to ask the question

 

[Richard Burns]

You will note on the link you give that there are two wiring diagrams shown on page 3, the top one is for non timer fan and the bottom one for the timer fan.
The timer fan would need a permanent line and if that was not installed at the time then it would need a new cable.
If you agreed originally to have just an on off fan in line with the light and the electrician did this, he would not have needed to supply a permanent line.

 

[Octopus]

Hi guys,

Thank you for your prompt response. The reason I think I have the timer version, and the reason I am suspicious is that the written quote lists the following line item
1 Xpelair Fan White
Xplelair Inline Extractor Fan with Timer
So I think it is reasonable to ask the question

Can you easily access the fan and see what the model number is? Maybe they bought the wrong one!

 

[robinsmith30]

Thank you for the follow up questions. Our specification detailed Xplelair Inline Extractor Fan with Timer. The electrician has not told us they have fitted the wrong fan, they have said they need to re-wire the existing fan (at our cost) to make the fan timer work.

 

[Octopus]

Thank you for the follow up questions. Our specification detailed Xplelair Inline Extractor Fan with Timer. The electrician has not told us they have fitted the wrong fan, they have said they need to re-wire the existing fan (at our cost) to make the fan timer work.

If they have quote and invoiced for a timer with fan, and it doesn't operate with a timer over run, then they need to come back and rectify the situation at THEIR cost. IMHO

 

[markythesparky]

Extractor fan – Is a re-wire change to change timer duration?

If your sparks has quoted for a timer fan I would have liked to think that he had looked at the wiring first. Did he?

You need three cable for a timer fan, permanent live, neutral, and switch live from light. If the existing wiring doesn't have this then the fan will only come on and off with the light.

I bet he didn't check the wiring first. But either way if he had and it wasn't correct, and you wanted the timer fan, then he would still have to rewire this cable. So you would still have to pay for it.

 

[paul_h]

Sounds to me like the electrician is telling the truth.....