DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi, my daughter has had a dimmer pull switch installed in her bathroom. When you pull it sharply, the light goes out; if you hold it pulled, the light goes slowly down. The trouble is, the fan never goes off now. A quick test showed that there is residual current even when the light is "off". Is there something I can put in the circuit that leads to the fan that will reduce a residual to nothing so that the fan will run to its timer? Or is there another way for a pensioner to help his little (growed-up) girl?
With thanks in advance ....

Hi Tony, problem stems from dimmers method of op. instead of reducing voltage they merely sw. power on for part of each cycle so as far as fan electronics knows it is still being 'called'.
I thought of ways to try but suspect won't work...
if fan is wall or direct ceiling mounted best way would be to change it for a PIR movement detector type, they have the added bonus of working in daylight as well so will operate even if light not sw. on,
sorry can't be more help,regards SPARX

Many thanks sparx. You have saved me a lot of wasted effort. :)