Extractor Fans Timer?

GT60

Hi i am looking at two Extractor Fans one has a timer and the other doesn't.
The fan i am replacing has stopped working and had a timer (not that i noticed)
The wiring is direct to the light switch so when i turn the bathroom light on the fan comes on.
Do i need a fan with a timer or will a normal one be ok and what would the timer do if the wires are direct to the light swicth?

The old fan was already in the bathroom when i bought the house.
Thanks

OnlyAlan

Typically, a simple on/off fan will have three wires to it (switched live, neutral and earth).
A fan with a timer (i.e. a delay when it is switched off) will have four wires to it. The fourth wire will be a permanent live.

Timed/delayed fans are usually fitted to continue to clear damp air after you have switched-off the bathroom light.

If your old fan has four wires to it I would recommend you fit another timed/delayed fan.

GT60

Thank you for that

StumpyPumpy

I swapped our old on/off fan for a timer + humistor version which means it stays on for a set time or until the humidity drops below a certain level whichever is longer. It made the bathroom a much more pleasant and less damp place to be, though it took me quite a long time fiddling with the controls to get it to work exactly as I wanted it to.

And if you end up wanting to by a Manrose fan, be aware that Primero fans are rebadged Manroses, the only difference being a slightly different front cover, but the insides are the same and they are a few quid cheaper.

SP