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Is it possible? Dimmer & fan

whjohnson
Client has requested bathroom lighting to be dimmable.

This poses a problem which I wonder if you might be able to assist with.

Am thinking about possible conflict between fan timer electronics and dimmer switch electronics?

If this is indeed a problem, is there a way of solving it by utilizing a different wiring method?'

There will be 2 switches employed, one to switch 3 x downlights and the other to switch a led strip on one wall and a pendent light over a vanity unit.

I propose that the 3 x downlights be connected with the fan and the other circuit be switched separately.
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    Just to add for clarity - the 3 dwonlights and fan will be on the dimmer switch but the other lighting will be switched via a conventional switch.


    (Caution - specs liable to change without notice due to presence of an interfering cushion thrower (interior designer)
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    PIR sensor for fan switching perhaps
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    Rather depends on the dimmer, as well as on the fan trigger type - a humidistat may be a better option for not waking the house with the fan for a quick pee in the night, and still extractin for a shower in daytime in a bathroom with windows anyway.

    But that to one side so, most fan triggers will fire off the sliced waveform of a conventional dimmer switch thought may not always fire at the dimmest setting.
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    Occasionally you can get dimmers were the on/off function is separate from the dimming - the on/off either being a separate rocker or a push-on-push-off behind the dimmer knob - often sold as 2-way variants. A few have a suitable terminal between the switch and dimmer, so if wired appropriately you can pick out a switched by not dimmed line from that.

       - Andy.
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    The obvious answer is a separate switch for the fan.

    That's what I've got, 1 switch for the wall light, 1 for the ceiling, and 1 for the fan.

    There is also a switch for the landing light on the same 1G plate - the beauty of the Click Mode switches.

    Of course, you wont fit a dimmer in that switch, and will have to go up to 2G.
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    Would the fan being switched independently comply with building regs?
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    alanblaby:

    The obvious answer is a separate switch for the fan.

    That's what I've got, 1 switch for the wall light, 1 for the ceiling, and 1 for the fan.

    . . .


    This would be my choice. I would not rely on a humidity detector to decide when the fan runs. I can envisage problems of running on long after required, or not running sometimes when required.


    As for fan units incorporating a timer, so that the fan runs on for a while after the light has been switched off - again there can be occasions when you want the light but not the fan, or vice versa.


    I understand why dimmers are popular, but do you really want to regulate the speed of a bathroom fan? Most of the ones commercially available are pretty puny anyway, 25 W or less. It is seen as better to be sparing with energy than have a fan powerful enough to do a really good job.


    In both our bathrooms we have separately switched timer-fans and we are quite happy with this arrangement. You need a neon indicator to show when the fan is switched on. For ceiling pull-switches, MK makes an extension piece with neon indicator. I expect that, at a pinch, this would work with other makes of ceiling switch; the attachment is with screws at standard 50 mm centres.


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    whjohnson:

    ..

    There will be 2 switches employed, one to switch 3 x downlights and the other to switch a led strip on one wall and a pendent light over a vanity unit.

    I propose that the 3 x downlights be connected with the fan and the other circuit be switched separately.


    Perhaps use 2 switches and a dimmer, the first switch does all the lights and the fan, the second switch does the vanity lights fed from the Switched live of the first switch, the dimmer does the downlights also fed from the switched live of the first switch. The fan has permanent live and switched live from the first switch. Only one switch needed to turn all lights off when leaving bathroom. You could put a fan isolating switch in too which I find useful to switch off the noisy fan if I am having bath :).


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