How to wire a 3 pole fan isolator switch. Extractor fan switch install wiring explained.

[@anillpatel]

This is a fantastic video presentation for anyone wanting to learn about wiring Fan Isolator Switches.. Very well explained. Thank you for sharing.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the kind words 👍

[@MarkJohnson-du2bc]

Very well explained and will save many competent people the hassle of calling an electrician, save a few pounds too.

[@juliangardner3357]

Great video thank you, I like the way you are very thorough and clear explaining each procedure, good work.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the feedback Julian and thanks for watching!

[@VivDiwakar]

Brilliant video, loved the diagram and instructions, makes perfect sense

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the feedback 👍

[@joezawinul2144]

thank you very much, thank to your help I managed easily, you dont know how much I do appreciate this your help

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

You are welcome!

[@barrymayes6712]

Fabulous instructions! Thanks.

[@ratchriat1716]

found this video very informative.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Glad you found it useful and thanks again for watching!

[@jaredhazelby8760]

The video I've been looking for. Excellent explanation and thank you!

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nateryan7041]

Excellent demo very well presented 👍👍👍

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@umark6695]

Excellent video

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching!

[@sandocheese45]

Good video pouse as always. Glad I done mine right lol, lee sando.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the feedback and thanks again for watching!

[@njcelectricalservicessheff9684]

how do you know if your earth fault loop impedance is correct without carrying out a test ?

[@dimitrisblane6368]

thank you!

[@superbadiii4856]

It would make sense to use the grey as the switched live and the black or blue wire as always the neutral? On the timer set up that is.

[@Smoovindecat]

Great video! I was hoping to get a bit of advice about a twin pole switch that recently changed due to it seizing.... since I did this the bathroom fan hasn’t worked but the lights do? I’m sure I re wired it the right way but obviously not.. the colours are similar to those you mentioned but no grey? Wondered if I could forward a few images so you can see what I mean? It seems I’ve tried all combinations at this point. I have a few images of the back of the switch before I re wired it to the new one. If you can help that would be amazing;)

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

If it's a double poled switch you just have to ensure you put the same wire in one side (the load) as the other (the supply). If that's not working then it's probably something else. If in doubt please call an electrician as it could be unsafe. Best of luck and thanks for watching.

[@malcolmjamesturner]

I'm about to replace my switch. But it only has 6 wires. Three top, three bottom. Four brown and two gray. No coloured sleeves either. ?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Without testing them I couldn't say. If in doubt call an electrician. If you do take it apart then take a photo first so you know how it goes back together! Best of luck.

[@david9612]

Hi, can I connect to the light switch instead of going from the isolator to the ceiling rose? Thanks Dave

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

You can only do this if you have a different wiring setup. The isolator must fully isolate all live wires and the neutral. Hope that helps.

[@david9612]

Thank you. I managed to do it that way. Dave.

[@mlee6050]

Does it matter? In fan I used black as neutral as was in olden days then tape others brown?

[@olegbirfon-ss3fs]

hi, does this fan isolation switch have 10amp fuse?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

It's off the lighting circuit so covered by a 6amp mcb. If you were wiring it from a socket then you would need to put in a 5 or 3amp fused switch depending on what the manufacturers instructions dictate.

[@syde6228]

​@@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE Heya someone just installed one of these in my front room from a socket, but I don't see a fuse switch, is this bad, also it's is constantly on and the switch doesn't power it off.

[@njcelectricalservicessheff9684]

I would have doubled over the cores before termination and if using a metal back box simply wire the cpc into that no need to use a wago with a little piece of earth to the back box are you a spark?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the feedback. No I'm not an electrician. Thanks for watching.

[@njcelectricalservicessheff9684]

It’s not a good idea to try and teach people to add or alter wiring in their own house!! What about testing ? Safety? you do realise that if your house burns down and you haven’t got a certificate to indicate correct construction and test results your insurance is null and void if found that the alteration was the cause!!!

[@Allegedly2right]

Minimum radius for cables 3 times the SWG it is in The regs just being argumentative as I can point a few regs that contradicts what was said The book before 17th to 18th like torque to manufactures torques when they don't state any same screw made in same factory different torque it's all up in the air just a wee moan me mate came out the Army did a TWO week course got the ticket still hasn't a clue but got the ticket

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

@@njcelectricalservicessheff9684 Yes of course, and I get all my electrics checked and signed off my electrician on completion. Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching.

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

Hi does this apply to a hood fan kitchen?

[@johngrannan]

Jules Farmer: No, use a ‘Switched Fused Spur’ with a suitable fuse rating to get Line, Neutral & Earth. No need to get a ‘Switched Live’ into the unit.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

@JulesFarmer - I think John has answered your question. You need to take a spur from a socket near the cooker hood, into a fuse connection unit (FCU) or fused spur/switch and from there you take your cable to your cooker hood and hard wire it in. That way the switch can be turned off to isolate the power if you need to work safely on it. Don't forget to use the correct rated fuse for the cable. Hope that helps, thanks for watching.

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

POUSE around the HOUSE thanks

[@ashhowardgolf3865]

Is the fan and bathroom light rcd protected? Or does it not require rcd protecting?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Mine is yes, and all bathroom fans should be. All my circuits are covered by RCD protection on the consumer unit. Thanks for watching.

[@TheChriss45]

Excellent demo, but I am a bit confused as the wiring in my house uses Quickwire junction boxes, not the old fashioned (and in my view, incredibly dangerous) ceiling rose setup. Could you post a diagram on how to get a fan isolator switch into an existing lighting circuit where all the connections are existing Quickwire junction boxes and splitters? Thanks. Also I've finally worked out why there are Quickwire on the circuit. The timed fan (and fan isolator) are wired 3 core and earth... But as there is no ceiling rose I presume it has to connect directly to the light switch or the light itself ... But again, same problem. How to connect three core and earth to a twin core and earth. Earth, easy. Neutral, easy. But how do you get power from one single live, to both the permanent live and switch live? Or do you only connect to the S/L? Finally on our course we were told you never ever EVER put a switch after the load on the circuit, as if there is a fault the switch becomes redundant rendering the installation dangerous... Yet in the diagrams, you have the power going to the light, then the switch. Could you explain why that is?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

In a normal lighting setup the main live feed goes from one ceiling in one room to the next ceiling in the next room. Then you just take a cable from this live down to the switch. After the switch it becomes a switched live. As for your setup, I'm not sure exactly how you do it but you need a feed from the 'switch' output on your quickwire, as this is the switched live, and you need a feed from the main live which is your permanent live. You could of course take power from the switch, with a live wire from one side of the switch (permanent live) and another wire from the other side of the switch (switched live). But explaining it over a message isn't easy. If in doubt, get an electrician and stay safe. Best of luck with it.

[@fabiandee8178]

what about with a metal back box? Do you connect both earth wires to the backbox brass earthing screw? Would be the same thing I guess but with advantage of earthing the steel back box.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Yes, just take an additional wire from earth on socket to earthing screw on metal box.

[@largesmallgarden7648]

If you use a normal live neutral Earth wire on a timer fan will it still turn on but you just can't use the timer or will it not work at all ? Cheers

[@martincropper8675]

As usual, thanks Pouse! Can you use twin and earth if it's a fan that's triggered by condensation levels?

[@mlee6050]

Correcting myself, you can to have it go on and off by humidity like non timer one he showed but if want a switch to turn it on and off them need 3 core and earth to get switch live unless you run two twin and earth to get fourth line, they recommend not to use earth cable for current

[@evieemaya88]

my fan has stopped working and the switch is exactly like this. would it be a problem with the switch? thanks

[@rob1835]

Hi Pouse , good video but i can't link to my bathroom light switch, no neutral wire coming from loft , just three wires ?i only have red wire, black wire with red tape and an earth cable coming from ceiling , to my light pull switch i don't have a ceiling rose ?, just one cable coming through the ceiling [live neutral and earth ] wire directly to my bathroom light, any ideas how i wire my 3 core and earth cable from my 3 pole isolator switch to my lighting circuit any other way ? the junction box is only 3 terminals and looks pretty full?

[@cblairrrr2048]

​@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE

[@johnwayne5984]

I feel you explained it good but you need to know your stuff to grasp this 🤯

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the feedback 👍

[@Stewart_Bell]

So clear

[@limpdd]

Silly question, but if the permanent line is going through the switch what makes it permanently live when the switch is off?

[@Harold_Shand]

It won't be live when the Isolator Switch is off. A 3 pole isolator disconnects all three terminals (L1 L2 L3) when in the off position. The purpose to the 'permenant live' is tho allow the fan to run on as per timer setting when the 'switched live' is disconnected - i.e. the light switch is turned off.

[@SebeQ29]

Shaver socket installation, pls.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

When I get chance! Thanks for watching!

[@sinista6536]

SebeQ29 Step 1. Fit backbox with a depth of 23,000,000mm 😂

[@Allegedly2right]

How do I run a shower fan to come on with the shower on one pull cord just a wee test for you as Sparks avoid that one haha believe it

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Fused spur.

[@garybeckett4461]

Hiya. Watched/liked yur YT vids. Bathroom shower power cord switch (oppo corner to shower) broke .. switch on = single pull, switch off= 300 pulls /clicks and counting. Cant find matching YT vid. Can i buy new switch and follow steps in a "replace pull cord" vid. Got nc voltage tester, multimeter=safety 1st. Many thanks in advance. Cheers. Gary

[@neowave777]

if I want to temporarily disable it, what wires would I disconnect out of all those wires?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

To disable the fan you press the switch, that's the point of the switch. Is that what you mean?

[@meatfruit1123]

Hi , I thought your video was great and easy to follow. My only question is this….The manufacturer of my new fan states it should be fused down to 3a. I presume I need to fit a fused Spur but will need the permanent live covering too as it’s a timed fan .What’s the best way to do this and where would I fit the fused Spur. ..I’ve been looking around on forums but find written solutions hard to follow , where as your plans make everything easy to follow. Thanks

[@benmjt]

A lot of what i've seen online is to ignore those instructions.

[@markdilley3918]

Help anyone....please. Fan running via separate switch, into fan isolator, to the fan. Fan has a timer (3 core+Earth) Voltage problem: Voltage between N and L (grey and brown is correctly reading 230v) Voltage across Live and Black (only 130v) Any ideas?

[@olegbirfon-ss3fs]

the main point where is fuse? how we can protect the fan?

[@tconners1758]

What about a fuse?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

It's protected by the 6amp MCB for the lighting circuit on the consumer unit. Also RCD protected at the consumer unit in this example. You could use a fused spur to wire a fan but that would be for another video. Thanks for watching.

[@mlee6050]

I hope what I done not matter as extractor fan only I put earth in ceiling in a junction box so end not uncovered

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

You should really terminate the earth into a connector which i have since done. Thanks for watching.

[@python3240]

I have a similar issue- there is simply not enough space in the new 3-pole pull cord switch to place the earth connector. At the same time there are slots for earth cables in the switch, can you please explain why they should be connected via connector and not via switch box itself? Thank you

[@mlee6050]

@@python3240 I would believe as then it isn't like a lose wire and screwed or fixed to something that don't move

[@Allegedly2right]

Pouse best Pal why no reply not even one from Zak S even if it is get a proper Spark I ask all these Sparks same same I will get back to you is the answer haha love it not even a trick question just one they all avoid my apprentice knows how took some time but he got it right

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

I haven't replied to anyone in a bout 2 months. Sorry I've been busy...also I'm not a spark!

[@johnb2602]

I’ve noticed that there are a couple of comments with the same issues as me: Used quickwire to complete a new lighting circuit, but have the same propels as the others. Maybe do an updated vid using quickwire?

[@olly7673]

I apologise if I missed you mentioning it, but I cannot recall at any point you mentioning to isolate the supply at the distribution board so that people do not kill themselves. Apart from it being dangerous to work on live wires it is also illegal. If you did so, it is my bad.

[@supersparks9466]

1.5mm cable is not necessarily required

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

That's true, 1mm is also acceptable and I should have mentioned that. Thanks for pointing that out for viewers.

[@manojtalwar7407]

Pls can I have your email ID to send you a pic of the 3 pole switch as it has different labels. Not in line with L1, L2?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Hi there, what does your switch say?

[@zaks8285]

Call a qualified electrician you stingy guy

[@LordLorenzo834]

Need to slow it down lol

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Not sure what you mean but thanks for watching.

[@leokimvideo]

I'm bloody confused, maybe next time use a pencil to point out the info on the diagram

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

If in doubt just call an electrician, stay safe. Thanks for watching.

[@bobsmodelrailways]

Great stuff thanks. But don’t “we” like to complicate things - whatever happened to Black/Red/Green or Blue/Brown/Yellow !!!! My brother, in Canada, asked me to check something for him ........... every conductor was GREY!! 😮 Let’s hope we’re not going that route 😅

[@syde6228]

Imagine installing one of these and actually getting it wrong, what bellends my landlord hired.

[@pakCampingOnWheels]

I am more confused now

[@davidclarke2513]

Sorry mate but you have forgot to put a fused double pole switch in the circuit ,which you will find that 90% of the fan manufactures give those instructions that you should do,so if you are going onto a podcast to instruct non electricians then you should be giving them the correct information to carry out such a circuit

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

I've done mine off a light circuit which is protected by a 6amp mcb which is further protected by an rcd. It doesn't require a fuse. The instructions you are referring to is if you run the fan from a socket circuit rated at 32amps, where you then need to protect the fan circuit by using a 3 or 5 amp fuse. This is not the arrangement I showed in the video, so if you follow the video, it's correct. Hope that helps David.

[@shaherbano17]

Ji

[@jameshansing5396]

Bloody terrifying encouraging people to do their own electrical work! 😩 Earth wire: CPC!

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Not encouraging, just showing how in they event someone is going to attempt it anyway. As for earth / cpc, it used to be called earth, just a change in terminology. Thanks for watching.

[@robertlindop600]

Bloody inspiring encouraging those of us who are apprentices to greater understanding of the systems we're working on. You could probably start each video with a "make sure you get someone qualified to etc.." as a disclaimer and to protect yourself from liability. Great video.

[@embecmom5863]

are they not doing that when wiring a plug?

[@jameshansing5396]

@@embecmom5863 not really no. Totally different regs and pretty much naff all to go wrong..

[@jameshansing5396]

@@robertlindop600 once you know a bit more, are more experienced and have come across countless have a go hero messes you will understand my comment a little better, I am sure ;)

[@kgs42]

Sorry but you speak too fast. No need to treat it as a race! It's hard to follow and the diagrams are too sketchy.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Fair enough but you can just pause the video while you process the information. Thanks for the feedback.

[@kenshort5109]

You can also watch the video at reduced playback speed - see settings.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

@@kenshort5109 that's the beauty of youtube, take it at your own pace. Thanks for the comment Ken 👍