How To Install A Timer Switch For Bathroom Exhaust Fan

This articles outline the steps involved in replacing a bath fan switch with an electronic timing device. A standard single pole switch will exist replaced with an electronic timing switch for the control of an exhaust fan in a bathroom. This eliminates the problem of bath fan switches left running.

Original iv-Gang Outlet With Iii Switches and GFCI Receptacle

At the fourth dimension I wrote this article, we had three bathrooms in our home, and two in our business concern. They all had a standard bath fan operated past a wall switch. Their purpose is fairly straightforward.

HOWEVER …. Nothing collection my wife, Sandy, more than crazy than finding one (or more than) of these bath fans running non-cease. It'south a pet peeve of Sandy's if Lyle (my son) or I should leave the bath fan running after showering, or using the other facilities. Or worse, to find that one of the office bathroom fans had been left running all weekend.

Fortunately, there is a solution – replace a standard bath fan switch with a timer switch. This will allow you to move the moisture out of the air with your fan, but limit the fan's performance to pre-selected intervals of 10, 20, xxx and 60 minutes (this will vary, depending upon the timer switch model and blazon). And so … no more wasted free energy by having the fan run constantly, and no more frustration for Sandy – PERFECT!

In the example we utilize in this article and supplemental video, nosotros have an existing iv-gang outlet with 3 switches and a ground fault receptacle in the decora or decorator device style. Nosotros will be replacing the switch that operates the bathroom fan with a Leviton electronic timing switch.

If you oasis't already watched the video of this project, you can do so via the post-obit link:

VIDEO: Bath FAN TIMER SWITCH

Materials and Tools Required for the Projection

Tools:

Screwdrivers (three/8" and ¼" standard bract, and/or Phillips and Robertson as required)
Diagonal pliers (side-cutters)
Linesman pliers
Long Nose Pliers
Pocketknife
Voltage testing device (multi meter, power pencil, etc.
Wire Strippers

Materials:

Leviton Electronic Timing switch (or equivalent)
Wire Connectors

Pace One – Ensure the Power is OFF Ensure that the power to the excursion is off, and arrange for an alternating calorie-free source (either battery operated, or an electrical light plugged into a different circuit in some other location).

Footstep Two – Remove Cover Plate Remove all of the screws in the 4-gang decora encompass plate.

Pace Three – Test the Circuit Double cheque with a voltmeter, power pencil, etc., to ensure that the ability to the circuit is off.

Ensure Power is off to the Circuit past Testing

Pace Four – Remove Existing Switch Remove the existing switch for the bath fan. Note that in this example we have a lot of wires and splices in behind the switch and thus we won't have enough room for the new device, as it is much larger and deeper than the regular single pole switch.

Remove the Existing Bathroom Fan Switch

Step V – Remove Additional Switches For the reason noted in a higher place, and the fact that the new device requires a neutral connection, we volition take to remove all of the switches in this outlet box.

iv-Gang Box with All Switches Removed

Step Six – Identify Required Connections With the switches now out of the way, nosotros can determine what connections and splices that we will need admission to. The new device has four (4) wires coming out of the body of the device:

- - - A green ground wire
    - A white neutral wire
    - A black wire for power in
    - And a bluish switched wire

Pace Seven – Making the Connections

After looking over the wiring diagram that came with the timing switch (yes, reading the instructions is a must), determine what connections are required.

In the outlet box we volition need to proceeds access to one of the footing screws in the back of the box to connect the timer's basis wire to it.

Accessing the Basis Screw in the Box

Green Ground Wire Connected to the Ground Spiral in the Box

The white wire from the timer volition need to exist added to the neutral splice.

White Wire Connections

The black wire needs to be added in to the splice of blackness wires that have pigtail wires that connect to 1 side of each of the existing switches, and to the line in last of the GFCI receptacle.

Remove the wire connector and remove the pigtail that goes to the existing bath fan switch. In its place you demand to spice in the blackness wire to the timer.

Black Wire From the New Timer Device Connected

Footstep Eight – Splicing Power to the New Timer

The black wire that was connected to the other side of the existing bath fan switch needs to be spliced to the blue wire from the timer switch.

Bluish to Black Switch Leg Splice

Pace Ix – Replacing the Wires Back Into the Box

Now nosotros demand to push back all of the splices into the box, making sure that you have room for the new device.

At that place is more than infinite behind the single pole switches, so work the bulk of the splices in behind them, and exist conscientious that when the devices are reinstalled, there volition be no pinch points or pressure level on the wires.

Tuck Splices Dorsum With No Compression Points or Pressure on Wires

Annotation that with this particular timing device, at that place are tabs that must be removed in order to fit within the space available in the multi-gang box. The tabs are scored for like shooting fish in a barrel removal.