Changing bathroom extractor fan from timed to standard - terminate live?

[basq]

Complete amateur here so forgive the terminology.

So my timed extractor fan in my bathroom has given up the ghost..

I got a replacement but realised I got the standard model instead of a timed model.. which will be fine as it'll be wired into bathroom light.

So below top is my existing timed model (with live, neutral and switched live indicated) and below bottom is my new standard model. I've indicated my plan roughly but what would you suggest doing with the existing live? What would you suggest it best way to cap it or could I potentially terminate it elsewhere - e.g would 'T' termination point be used in a standard model - without timer as that was used for switched live in timed model?

 

[terryplumb]

Why not return the fan for credit ,and buy a timed version ? Better than the non timed as that will only be on whilst light is required / on.
If you really just want the non timed to be fitted then switched live and neutral get connected and the permanent live ( not required ) can be disconnected at source . some would just leave it and terminate it in a spare connector strip. By the way check the voltage that extractor requires ,it may be low voltage, and not suitable for direct connection to mains , without a transformer.

 

[basq]

Thanks for the quick reply Terry.

Unfortunately the damage was done as already drilled a hole in fan to feed wires through before I noticed it was standard, and not timed.

Should I purchase a connector strip or any harm in using say the unlabelled connector in top-left, or T in bottom right?

Will check voltage alright.

 

[mattylad]

In the 2nd picture, the bottom and middle rows of the connector block are the actual fan connections, the top is unused so:

Connect the permanent live into the top row,
Connect the neutral into the middle row,
Connect the switched live from your lights into the bottom row.

There is no need for any extra connectors.
Your editing the picture with "switched live" is in the wrong place.

Also note that the molding has the L & N on the actual fan wiring side swapped, N on the left and L on the right. (not that it really matters to connect to an AC fan).

Out of curiosity, where do the 2 wires in the far bottom left of the picture go? (can you show more of the fan?)

 

[terryplumb]

The top terminal has nothing connected ,so the permanent live could be terminated in it.
The other two terminals have contradicting L and N markings. On the left side the middle terminal is marked L ,but on the right side of the same terminal block its marked N ....!!!
Confusing !! The switched live in bottom terminal and neutral in the middle terminal would be how i would connect it up.

 

[sparkwright]

Interesting that regular 3 core and E cable has not been used.

Send a picture of the where the wires emerge from the cable sheath.

If ONE regular T+E cable has been used, then it may be that the bare earth cable has been over-sleeved as a live conductor.

 

[basq]

Better photo of fan:

I actually wired it up similarly to how people are suggesting:

That is:

Top = Live
Middle = Neutral
Bottom = Switched Live

Which is the same way in which it's wired in existing timed fan, and the fan stayed on permanently regardless of light on/off.. so unsure of what is going on.

 

[terryplumb]

You mixed up the live and switched live by the sounds of it ,swap them.

 

[basq]

You mixed up the live and switched live by the sounds of it ,swap them.

Yeah, though wired them same as wiring on timed though (L = Live, N = Neutral, T = Switched Live). Assumed it'd be same.

 

[terryplumb]

And did the old fan work as it should have ? It either didn't ,or you mixed them up.

 

[basq]

And did the old fan work as it should have ? It either didn't ,or you mixed them up.

It worked perfectly fine until a fortnight ago..

.. maybe I did mix them up but switched live seems to be a slightly lighter colour.

I'll try reversing them so.. probably need to wait til daylight though.

 

[terryplumb]

What made you conclude which brown was switched live and permanent live ?

 

[basq]

What made you conclude which brown was switched live and permanent live ?

In previous fan's wiring, I assumed permanent live was in L and switched live was T but that was just an assumption.

 

[terryplumb]

There you go then !! Your assumption was wrong ! Assumption and electrics dont go hand in hand.

 

[basq]

There you go then !! Your assumption was wrong ! Assumption and electrics dont go hand in hand.

You're not wrong!