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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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    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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  • 0
    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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