Is it ok to run an extractor fan in a bathroom in Twin & Earth if client wants it Independant from the bathroom lighting?

[jamest4541]

Basically, the room in which i am talking about has a twin and earth feed from a switch downstairs which was originally for an outside light. The client would like to take that feed and use it for an extractor fan in the new converted bathroom. The cable used is twin and earth. If i were to make the downstairs switch (which was for the outside light) the isolator switch for the fan (as its not a good idea to have it inside the bathroom) could i use the twin and earth for the fan directly, as he wants it independent from the lights in the bathroom therefore not requiring the need of a switch line?

Also, there is no access above the ceiling, only under floor boards, and the cable to run up to the extractor fan has to be run in surface PVC trunking.

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[westward10]

Sounds all rather odd, you would have to go downstairs to control it. Why wasn't it done on the bathroom conversion.

 

[jamest4541]

Sounds all rather odd, you would have to go downstairs to control it. Why wasn't it done on the bathroom conversion.

The bathroom hasn't been fully converted yet (it was originally a bedroom) so all wall sockets are going to be looped out aswell. Despite the fact that he would have to control it from downstairs is there any other issues that may occur from doing that?

 

[Pete999]

Basically, the room in which i am talking about has a twin and earth feed from a switch downstairs which was originally for an outside light. The client would like to take that feed and use it for an extractor fan in the new converted bathroom. The cable used is twin and earth. If i were to make the downstairs switch (which was for the outside light) the isolator switch for the fan (as its not a good idea to have it inside the bathroom) could i use the twin and earth for the fan directly, as he wants it independent from the lights in the bathroom therefore not requiring the need of a switch line?

Also, there is no access above the ceiling, only under floor boards, and the cable to run up to the extractor fan has to be run in surface PVC trunking.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Notification with Part P may be problematic, best get an Electrician involved mate. if you're not sure.

 

[SparkyChick]

RCD protection maybe

Also, you say the other sockets are going to be looped out? Could you elaborate a little?

 

[jamest4541]

Notification with Part P may be problematic, best get an Electrician involved mate. if you're not sure.

ok thanks, i was only after a second opinion from someone with experience of extractor fans just to tell him really. as he asked me if it were possible and i didnt see any other issues occuring apart from the fact that he would have to turn it off and on himself?

RCD protection maybe

Also, you say the other sockets are going to be looped out? Could you elaborate a little?

sorry yes, there are 2 double sockets on the walls which obviously will be taken out and the cables connected in junction boxes to complete the ring. under the floor boards that is

 

[radiohead]

Surely if the 'feed' from the outside light switch is used to operate the fan, and is going to be used for the lights....then the lights wont work if the fan is off.....unless there is already a supply for the lights?? If there is then why dont you use that for the fan via a pullswitch in the bathroom still independent from the light switch?
Controlling a fan from downstairs?...really?

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

I’m well confused here. Why not just take it from the bathroom lights ?
Nothing to say isolators must be outside the bathroom either

 

[telectrix]

there is no reason not to use an existing switch as he wants. the convenience/inconvenience of doing this would be his concern.

 

[davesparks]

ok thanks, i was only after a second opinion from someone with experience of extractor fans just to tell him really. as he asked me if it were possible and i didnt see any other issues occuring apart from the fact that he would have to turn it off and on himself?
sorry yes, there are 2 double sockets on the walls which obviously will be taken out and the cables connected in junction boxes to complete the ring. under the floor boards that is

Subject to all of the usual electrical considerations such as RCD protection, testing of the circuit etc then it would probably be OK, only the electrician who does the work will be able to make the final decision though once they have actually seen what is involved.

It will probably be easier to wire it normally than to mess around picking up a feed from downstairs.

 

[jamest4541]

Thank you everyone for your responses, the main purpose of my question was to see if it is a valid option as the only thing they would need to do is extend the twin and earth and then change the switch to an isolator, instead of re-running 3-core out of the lighting circuit.

I understand all of your concerns that it is not a traditional way of doing things but it is the easiest option for them, especially when they are trying to save money. If the only issue is that the switch is downstairs then that isn't something that is going to bother them.

 

[Ziggie]

Basically, the room in which i am talking about has a twin and earth feed from a switch downstairs which was originally for an outside light. The client would like to take that feed and use it for an extractor fan in the new converted bathroom. The cable used is twin and earth. If i were to make the downstairs switch (which was for the outside light) the isolator switch for the fan (as its not a good idea to have it inside the bathroom) could i use the twin and earth for the fan directly, as he wants it independent from the lights in the bathroom therefore not requiring the need of a switch line?

Also, there is no access above the ceiling, only under floor boards, and the cable to run up to the extractor fan has to be run in surface PVC trunking.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Basically, the room in which i am talking about has a twin and earth feed from a switch downstairs which was originally for an outside light. The client would like to take that feed and use it for an extractor fan in the new converted bathroom. The cable used is twin and earth. If i were to make the downstairs switch (which was for the outside light) the isolator switch for the fan (as its not a good idea to have it inside the bathroom) could i use the twin and earth for the fan directly, as he wants it independent from the lights in the bathroom therefore not requiring the need of a switch line?

Also, there is no access above the ceiling, only under floor boards, and the cable to run up to the extractor fan has to be run in surface PVC trunking.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Basically, the room in which i am talking about has a twin and earth feed from a switch downstairs which was originally for an outside light. The client would like to take that feed and use it for an extractor fan in the new converted bathroom. The cable used is twin and earth. If i were to make the downstairs switch (which was for the outside light) the isolator switch for the fan (as its not a good idea to have it inside the bathroom) could i use the twin and earth for the fan directly, as he wants it independent from the lights in the bathroom therefore not requiring the need of a switch line?

Also, there is no access above the ceiling, only under floor boards, and the cable to run up to the extractor fan has to be run in surface PVC trunking.

Any help would be much appreciated!

You did not state where the equipment would be situated (that is what zone) . There are strict limits within a bathroom which is based on a zone system from the bath or shower.

I will assume you know these and that the need for RCD's and limits on type of supply is documented. These mainly affect small distances from the shower/bath and also there are height limits .

if you are not aware of these, then update the thread and I will provide fuller details.

 

[Taylortwocities]

here are 2 double sockets on the walls which obviously will be taken out and the cables connected in junction boxes to complete the ring. under the floor boards that is

The junction boxes then must be maintenance free, like these Ashley J803 Maintenance Free Junction Box 32A 3 Terminal - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASJ803.html

 

[davesparks]

Thank you everyone for your responses, the main purpose of my question was to see if it is a valid option as the only thing they would need to do is extend the twin and earth and then change the switch to an isolator, instead of re-running 3-core out of the lighting circuit.

I understand all of your concerns that it is not a traditional way of doing things but it is the easiest option for them, especially when they are trying to save money. If the only issue is that the switch is downstairs then that isn't something that is going to bother them.

Why would you run 3 core of it is not an overrun fan switched with the light?

I doubt that there will be any cost saving between the two options when the electrician quotes for the job.

Of course if you aren't using an electrician but instead are having a go at DIYing it then there is a cost saving, but it is traded off against the risk to your life from making a small mistake which could prove fatal now or in the future.

 

[radiohead]

Thank you everyone for your responses, the main purpose of my question was to see if it is a valid option as the only thing they would need to do is extend the twin and earth and then change the switch to an isolator, instead of re-running 3-core out of the lighting circuit.

I understand all of your concerns that it is not a traditional way of doing things but it is the easiest option for them, especially when they are trying to save money. If the only issue is that the switch is downstairs then that isn't something that is going to bother them.

Whilst I accept the view that there is no reason why this cannot be done as you describe, it has to be one of the dafter ideas I've heard from a client.
So they are going to switch an upstairs bathroom fan on from downstairs via an on/off switch? I guarantee they will go out and leave the fan running all day long, sucking out paid for heat during the winter. The installation cost saving over a more suitable arrangement will be miniscule.
Not everyone wants the fan on with the lights, thats a perfectly acceptable arrangement. Use the T/E from the downstairs switch if you want, and fit an isolator. Then fit a timer fan and wire a momentary action pull switch to control. Pull the switch and the fan will run for a pre-set period. The client wont have to remember to go downstairs and switch it on before off-loading after a friday night curry, and he wont have to remember to switch it off again.
The additional cost will be minimal and it'll be infinately more enviromentally friendly

 

[Markyd]

Any new construction or extension of a building counts as ‘notifiable’ work. This means you must let the local council building-control department or a privately run building control service know about it, so it can inspect and certify the work on completion.

You also need building-regulations approval for some home alterations, including:

Electrics:

• replacing fuse boxes and connected electrics
• changing electrics near a bath or shower
• adding new circuits

Glazing / ventilation:

 

[Des 56]

You seem set on using this spare supply so best bet is do exactly as suggested in post 16