DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi,

I'm hoping someone can help as I'm at the end of my tether! Our Bathroom extractor fan recently starting making an unhealthy noise and then stopped working altogether. I thought it would be a relatively simple task to replace like for like, so I bought a brand new identical model (Manrose xft100t) and simply swapped them over.

Unfortunately this has not worked, there seems to be a problem with the switched live. I have re-wired the light switch and isolator switch in case it was a loose connection but no success, I found that occasionally if I jiggled the 2 switched live wires that are connected to each other in the light switch they would spark and the fan would kick in when I turned the light off. This was purely an accidental discovery as I was using an electrical screwdriver to check if the wires were live.

Has anybody got any clue? The only thing I can assume at this point is a fault with the wiring itself, but I don't understand why this would just fail?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Firstly, when you say electric screwdriver. I assume you mean a screwdriver in the disguise of test instrument?
BIN IT!
They are potentially dangerous, as they can give you bogus/unreliable readings.

You really need a two pole test instrument, a simple multi-meter can offer much better and more reliable results.

By the evidence you have given, it sounds like you have a broken/damaged conductor. This will need to be stripped back until you have end to end continuity of the conductor.
Or possibly a fault terminal or contact where these cables are terminated.
But without testing would be difficult identify the issue!

Hi,

Thanks very much for the advice, I'll give it a go this weekend and see how I get on. The screwdriver in question was the type with the orange light in it, no good? I do have a multi meter so I'll give it a go.

Just checking, when you say 'conductor' you mean the wire itself right?

Thanks,

Yes do not use the screwdriver for testing they are unreliable. OK for grub screws as a screwdriver and earwax removal!!!!!
Yes the wires are known as conductors!