Ventilation fan in the toilet

Specific operating conditions of the toilet room suggest the presence of effective ventilation in it, which is not provided by the system of ventilation ducts (mines) built into the walls of the building. It is possible to improve the air exchange in the room by placing a special fan in the exhaust hole of the shaft, the installation of which (subject to certain conditions) can be done independently. In this article you can familiarize yourself with the features of choosing a suitable fan product, as well as with the procedure for its installation in the toilet room.

Features of the operation of the ventilation device in the toilet

A distinctive feature of the operation of the fan in the toilet is the frequency of its operation, determined by the need to ventilate the room only at certain intervals (during and after the visit). This explains the special approach to the installation procedure of the device, made taking into account the following operational requirements:

• the presence of electrical wiring to the place of its placement in the hatch of the ventilation shaft;
• the need to prepare a special connection diagram;
• convenience of manual control of the fan operation mode;
• silent operation of the system located in close proximity to habitat zones.

To fulfill all these requirements, you will need to carry out a range of activities involving:

• competent choice of a suitable type of fan model and characteristics;
• its direct installation in a mine hatch;
• preparation of the connection diagram and control of the device operation modes;
• laying of electrical wiring to the place of its installation, taking into account the requirements of the PUE;
• connection to an existing electrical network.

In the following sections of the article, the procedure for installing a fan for the toilet will be discussed in more detail by us.

Choosing the type of fan device

Before purchasing a fan suitable for use in the toilet, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with existing product modifications, which are divided into axial, radial and centrifugal designs. Each of these types of ventilation devices can be mounted both on the wall and on the ceiling.

According to most experts, it is most convenient to install axial mechanisms in the toilet and bathroom, the basis of which is a multi-blade propeller mounted on the axis of the electric motor. The air intake in such a device, the case of which is usually oval, is carried out through its front part, protected by a special plastic panel. When buying a suction device model suitable for you, be sure to pay attention to the noise level created by it during operation, which must be indicated in the product passport. The indicative value of this indicator should not exceed 40 dB.

Field installation

In accordance with the previously described procedure for installing a fan in the toilet at this stage of work, it is installed in the ventilation hatch. The order of operations performed in this case is as follows:

• with small dimensions of the exhaust opening, it should be expanded with a punch (the configuration of the hatch should repeat the shape of the fan casing);
• in the event that the hatch opening has dimensions larger than the fan case, it is necessary to pre-install and securely fasten the corresponding piece of plastic pipe in size, and fill the remaining voids with mounting foam;
• the fan is fixed at the place of installation using suitable self-tapping screws. In the case when the walls of the toilet are finished with ceramic tiles - a special adhesive composition is used to fix it, which eliminates the possibility of damage to the tile finish.

Preparation of the circuit and connection of electricity

At the next stage of work, it is necessary to supply power to the fan installed and fixed in the niche. For this purpose, first an electrical wiring diagram is drawn up with a designation of the supply circuits and switching elements, and then the corresponding installation work is performed. In the process of these works, in accordance with the prepared scheme, a route for laying electric wires is arranged, which then is reliably hidden under a layer of finishing material.

Important! The option of laying wires in the thickness of the walls is used when plaster is used as the finish. To correctly perform these operations, you will have to master the strobing technique, which consists in preparing small grooves in the walls used for laying the lead wires. Subsequently, such grooves (strobes) are closed with a finishing material or a layer of plaster.

Upon completion of the wiring arrangement, the connection of individual cable cores is carried out according to the circuit diagram (see Fig. No. 4). To connect the cable wiring, special terminals are used located on the inlet block of the fan.

The figure above shows a variant of a fan switching line combined with a lighting switch, which greatly simplifies the installation of supply circuits.

At the final stage of installation work, a test run of the fan is performed and its operability is checked.

Recommendations of specialists

In the process of installation, it is advisable to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. In those cases when the development of a ventilation system in the toilet is carried out before the construction of a private house begins, the project should provide a separate power line for the fan with a switch installed in the gap of the phase wire of the supply chain.
2. If there is no possibility or desire to wall the walls in the toilet room, you can use the option of laying wires in a special protective casing called a cable channel. The base of such a channel is fixed with an adhesive directly on the walls of the room, and after laying the wiring in it, it is closed on top with a protective cover.
3. In the case of using circuits combined with a lamp to power the fan, the light source must first be disassembled and then connected to its neutral and phase wires in accordance with the circuit diagram (note that the connection to the phase wire is made at the terminal located after the switch). With the method of connecting the fan that we have considered, it will start at the moment the lighting is turned on, and stop working after it is turned off.
4. When connecting a fan, it is essential that you observe the basic safety precautions (TB) regarding the rules for handling electricity. In accordance with these provisions, work on the power line can only be started after the relevant consumers are completely de-energized.
5. With open wiring in the toilet room, which refers to hazardous areas (due to high humidity), a special protective device (RCD) must be provided in the supply circuit.