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Sparkies.....electricians Help Please...

nalyo
nalyo Posts: 184 Forumite
in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving
quick one........Just wired up my electric shower with 10mm cable....wanted to fit an extractor fan on top.........can I wire a cable straight from the pull cord for the shower with a 2.5mm cable (if you get what I mean??)

PLEASE PLEASE reply all advice much appreciated. (obviously Im fully qualified to do this work....WINK WINK)

this is what ive bought coz Ive got loft space......

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/41379/Heating-Cooling/Extractor-Fans/Centrifugal-Inline-Shower-Fan-Kit-240V-100mm

Comments

  • TimBuckTeeth
    TimBuckTeeth Posts: 521 Forumite
    No, you can't wire a fan direct to the shower supply. A fan usually requires a supply protected by a max. 5A fuse or 6A circuit breaker. Checking the instructions for your fan requires a 3A fuse.

    You may connect it via a suitably rated fused spur unit (with 3A fuse), but there may be problems with fitting both the cables into the switch terminals, as the spur unit should be fed by the same thickness of cable as the shower (10mm), a 1mm cable from the fuse to the fan is OK. The shower cables need to be fully and securely fitted to prevent overheating the switch terminals.
  • amarg
    amarg Posts: 216 Forumite
    Or you can wire the extractor to the lighting circuit- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/diy/electrics/extractor_fan/shower_extractor_fan_fitting.htm
  • baldelectrician
    baldelectrician Posts: 2,467 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    A fan should be wired to a lower rated circuit, such as a lighing circuit.
    You may need a fan isolator (I usually change the light switch to a 2g DP)
    Have you wired it to BS7671:2001 or BS7671:2008 (you may have RCD issues)
    You may require supplimentary bonding, and / or Main Bonding

    ps I hope it's not a GAINSBOROUGH or a GALAXY shower as they have performance issues (well the newer ones anyway). I generally refuse to fit them, as you get a call when it goes, usually within the first week, or 4 days out of the 1 year guaranatee.

    If you live in England / Wales you are covered by Part P. if you live in Scotland there is no Part P, but the Home Report will be coming in (so there may be an expectation of paperwork when you go to sell)
    baldly going on...
  • adaze
    adaze Posts: 623 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    wire into your lighting circuit, which you should be able to access from your loft? put it on a fused spur and include a 3 pole fan isolating switch too for good measure.
  • baldelectrician
    baldelectrician Posts: 2,467 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    adaze wrote: »
    put it on a fused spur

    Why put it on a fused spur?
    baldly going on...
  • adaze
    adaze Posts: 623 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    OK you wouldn't need to always put one on a fused spur, depends on the fan. Some of the expelair fans specify a 3A fuse, anythng more (like a lighting circuit on 5A) and it could invalidate the warranty, depends what you think is likely, for the sake of a few pounds i'd put in the fuse, but you don't have too....
  • Shambler
    Shambler Posts: 767 Forumite
    You may need cable with a csa greater than 10mm depending upon installation method/length of cable/protective device rating.

    Is the circuit protected by an RCD?

    How do you propose to test the installation to make sure that it is safe?
  • nalyo
    nalyo Posts: 184 Forumite
    all done and sorted. many thanks to all! connected through lighting ring etc....
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