Remove extractor with no isolator

Sandtree

The extractor above our hob didnt appear to work when we moved in, after much hunting for an isolator switch we were never able to find one and so gave up on it.

Now it would appear that we had left the lights on the extractor set to on as a few weeks ago the lights on it came on very dimly and flickering, out of curiosity I tried turning the fan on and there was a crackling noise and the lights went off.  Mentioned it to the Mrs who said she’d seen the lights on it a few weeks earlier after I’d been turning the lighting ring on/off to deal with our doorbell.

The extractor doesnt feature in our future kitchen plan but without an isolator I am not sure how to deal with it?

grumbler

You can use the corresponding switch/breaker in your consumer unit or (better) switch all power off in the house.

Do you want to remove it for good? If so, you'll have to take care of the remaining exposed wires - post a photo here.

Sandtree

I will have to switch all the power off because I dont know which ring its connected to... I would assume its connected to the Kitchen Ring but cannot say for sure... the prior leaseholder who installed the kitchen was known by the neighbours for being keen on DIY but not necessarily any good at it.

The hob will be relocated and replaced with one with a built in extractor so the connection is no longer required and just needs to be made safe.

Hasbeen

Sandtree said:

The extractor above our hob didnt appear to work when we moved in, after much hunting for an isolator switch we were never able to find one and so gave up on it.

Now it would appear that we had left the lights on the extractor set to on as a few weeks ago the lights on it came on very dimly and flickering, out of curiosity I tried turning the fan on and there was a crackling noise and the lights went off.  Mentioned it to the Mrs who said she’d seen the lights on it a few weeks earlier after I’d been turning the lighting ring on/off to deal with our doorbell.

The extractor doesnt feature in our future kitchen plan but without an isolator I am not sure how to deal with it?

If a chimney style extractor? have seen isolating switches hidden behind / inside chimney. Inside or above wall units?

Sandtree

Hasbeen said:
If a chimney style extractor? have seen isolating switches hidden behind / inside chimney. Inside or above wall units?

It is a chimney style but the covering has sealant to the wall so havent broken it to try and open it. Removing the bottom filter gives a fairly good view up and there is no obvious switch but it could be there.

Once the new hob arrives will be removing the extractor so will then know for sure but on paper seems a bit silly to put an isolator switch inside a unit and then seal the unit shut (but then as said, he wasnt known for his skills)

FreeBear

Sandtree said: Once the new hob arrives will be removing the extractor so will then know for sure but on paper seems a bit silly to put an isolator switch inside a unit and then seal the unit shut (but then as said, he wasnt known for his skills)

You might find the extractor is wired in to the cooker/hob isolator switch. I'd also suggest trying to trace where the cable runs - If it is a right bodge job, the cable could be running at some weird angle across the wall (totally non-compliant with wiring regs).

Sandtree

There are a number of things I’ve not seen before in this flat, both done by the original builders in circa 2005 and the DIY expert but by all accounts they are not best practice but legally acceptable... our washing machine and dishwasher flank the sink and both are plugged into a double socket thats attached to the inside wall of the cupboard under the sink, light switch for the WC is a toggle switch inside the room near the sink, floor to ceiling boxing for a pipe in the kitchen thats only knee high (so unnecessary lost cupboard space and worksurface).

Will have a look at the cooker’s isolation switch to see what cables are in there... its a dual fuel range at the moment so guess it should only have one feed. Once we’re finally ready to do the kitchen properly it’ll be easier as we can rip off all the plastic splashbacks etc