Fan Isolator Switch and Extractor Fan not Working Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[Shand8888]

Hi there,

We recently purchased a home and the main bathroom has an extractor fan that doesn’t work. I replaced the fan with a new model and still no luck.

I opened up the Isolator switch outside the bathroom and it looks like everything is connected correctly; except there is an extra brown wire not connected to anything (obviously a problem and likely the source of the issue). L1/L2 both have the live and switch live wires correct as does the neutral. My dilemma is this unknown wire and what to do with it.

Important to note - the fan has not worked since we moved in and there is a pull string light inside the bathroom and the lights work fine.

Any thoughts on how to wire this this? Has anyone seen a set up like that as I have only ever experienced 2 wires coming into the isolator switch.

[Mr White]

There are supposed to be 8 wires in a fan isolator switch, otherwise it can not isolate.
3 wires in, live, neutral and switched live, and the same out.
Obviously the in and out earth wires make up the numbers, but they are not switched.

If you do not have a multi meter you can not identify anything, so I will have to say this is one of those jobs where you should get a competent person in to do the job for you.

[Shand8888]

Sorry I didn’t explain this better.. My reference to “2 wires” referred to 2 sets of L/LS/N/Ground (8 total) wires. These are all connected correctly to the isolator switch.

I was referring to an additional L and Ground wire that is in the box. The L is not connected to anything - it is just hanging there - (obviously a problem) and the Ground is connected to the other two ground wires.

My question is around this additional L wire (and ground for that matter). Has anyone seen this in an isolator switch?

[Mr White]

How do you know it is L?

[Shand8888]

I used my multimeter and tested it.