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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> extractor fan question https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1336510129 Message started by andyelbac on May 8^th, 2012, 9:48pm

Title: extractor fan question
Post by andyelbac on May 8^th, 2012, 9:48pm

I recently moved into a new home with an extractor fan in the kitchen activated by a humidity sensor. The previous owner mentioned that it was recently installed but never worked and had never gotten round to calling the installer back. I checked it yesterday and the socket appears to be wired up and the fuse ok. However, when I removed the fan cover I noticed that although the live, nuetral and earth were connected to one side of the connector block, on the other side only the live and nuetral were connected. The earth was hanging loose, unstripped. As I know nothing about electrics I am loathe to connect up the earth even though that seems the sensible thing to do. I would like some professional advice on what to do. Thanks :)

Title: Re: extractor fan question
Post by Lectrician on May 8^th, 2012, 9:52pm

Photo?

The earth not being connected would not cause it to not work.

The fan may have three connections on the terminal block, but none of them could be earth (often Red, Yellow, Black for example, none of which are earth). The earth may not be needed and should be placed into a spare terminal block.

What make / model is the fan and humidistat?

Photos would help.

Title: Re: extractor fan question
Post by andyelbac on May 8^th, 2012, 10:02pm

Hi,
thanks. I work away from home so will take a photo at the end of the week.

Title: Re: extractor fan question
Post by The_Trician on May 16^th, 2012, 6:48pm

The fan is most likely double-insulated and the earth should be electrically isolated and 'parked' in a spare terminal.

It sounds like the humidistat hasn't been connected to the fan for some reason, but without more info I can't be certain.