Install an Extractor Fan Timer
An extractor fan timer works in many ways, but mainly it helps you to operate the fan properly.
An extractor fan timer will help you operate the fan when you have no time to check the ventilation of your bathroom and kitchen as all you have to do is to set the timer. The rest of job is done by your extractor fan timer. Installing a timer into your extractor fan is easy with a few simple steps. You can find an extractor fan timer in hardware stores. When purchasing make sure, you buy the one that will last for a long time, and is durable too. Before buying, measure the old timer so as to purchase one with the same size. Here are the steps on how to do it.
You will need:
- Timer switch
- Screws
- Wire stripper
- Wire nuts
- Electrical tape
- Screwdriver
- Tester
- Wire cutter
Steps:
- First, turn off the power at the circuit breaker for safety and to prevent electric shock. Use a tester to check whether the power is off or not, as sometimes even though we switch if off it is still on deep within. This step is very important to take for safety measures. To test, insert the red electric wire into the hot side and the black wire into the neutral side simultaneously. The power is still on and needs to be turned off if there are connection glows.
- The next step is to replace the on and off switch to the new timer switch. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the faceplate and the screws that attach the switch to the wall. Remove them so that you can pull the switch out of the wall. Unscrew the screws that are connecting the wires to the switch to detach the electric wires. If there are wire nuts in the connection, simply pull off the nuts from the switch to the wall. Free the switch by untwisting the wires. Be careful when proceeding with this delicate step.
- Next, make sure that the hole in your wall will fit the new timer switch. You will need to enlarge the hole if the switch is bigger than the old one. Strip the wires on the wall using a wire stripper and exposing ½ to ¾ of the wire. Strip the wires on the new timer too. Then, connect the wires from the wall to the timer together. Match the black wires and secure the ends with wire nuts after twisting them together. Use an electrical tape to seal the connection tightly. Connect the second black wire from the wall with the blue wire of the timer. Join the third wire that is not insulated or green insulated with a similar ground wire from the wall. Secure all of the connections with wire nuts and electrical tape.
- Gently push the connections into the switch box to fix the timer switch into its position. Secure the switch with screws into the wall. Replace the switch faceplate and screw to secure as well. Test your extractor fan timer once the power is turn on.
Additional Reading:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-install-an-extractor-fan-timer
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacob-davies/324771126/
