Toilet exhaust fan and switch

[sharan]

How do you wire one common exhaust fan for two separate toilets? Can you connect switches in parallel?

 

[roger3829]

How do you wire one common exhaust fan for two separate toilets? Can you connect switches in parallel?

Sure. as long as the switch doesn't have to turn on a light as well. If it does, you will need to use a double pole switch.

 

[LarryFine]

Then there's the handle-tie requirement if separate circuits are used.

 

[roger3829]

Then there's the handle-tie requirement if separate circuits are used.

Why?? If two seperate circuits are used, where does the "handle-tie" come in to play?

 

[480sparky]

Why?? If two seperate circuits are used, where does the "handle-tie" come in to play?

210.4(B) .

 

[ronaldrc]

Set of threeways parallel would be best

 

[roger3829]

210.4(B) .

210.4(B) is for Multi-wire branch circuits. Multi-wire branch circuits share a neutral. Does not say anything about 2 seperate circuits in the same box requiring a common disconnect.

 

[C3PO]

210.4(B) is for Multi-wire branch circuits. Multi-wire branch circuits share a neutral. Does not say anything about 2 seperate circuits in the same box requiring a common disconnect.

Look at 210.7(B)

 

[roger3829]

Look at 210.7(B)

I stand corrected. Thanks.

 

[iwire]

Look at the two pole switch, it will say "One circuit use only" so forget using two circuits.

Beyond that IMO with two single pole switches in parallel when both are on you have parallel conductor violation unless they feed the coils of a relay or some other control equipment.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Bring the feed into one switch box then run a 3 wire cable to the next switch and then a 2 wire up to the fan. Just like a 3 way would wire but you use SP switches. In the second box tie the red switched from the first sp to the switch leg of the second sp which in turn connects to the fan.

Bob I don't see this as a violation. Do you?

 

[iwire]

Dennis anytime both switches where in the closed positions the black and red conductors would be in parallel. The conductors would be 'electrically connected' at both ends.

 

[iwire]

To be clear, I don't think it's going to burn the place down, just a NEC issue that is largely ignored. :smile:

 

[steve66]

To be clear, I don't think it's going to burn the place down, just a NEC issue that is largely ignored. :smile:

I see what you are saying Iwire, but I have to disagree. One wire lands on one switch, the other wire lands on another switch. I don't think that's what the code is refering to by "parallel".

Since either wire can handle the load without the other one, I don't see why we would call this a parallel set of wires.

Steve

 

[mikeames]

Can some one please explain why a standard 3 way wont work??? I guess I don't understand the problem.

 

[stickboy1375]

Can some one please explain why a standard 3 way wont work??? I guess I don't understand the problem.

They would, but if the fan is remote located, you might not know if the fan is on or off since its a three way switch.

I generally just use a RIB relay with single pole switches.

 

[mattsilkwood]

run it through a relay

 

[mattsilkwood]

stick beat me to it:grin:

 

[steve66]

Can some one please explain why a standard 3 way wont work??? I guess I don't understand the problem.

The idea is to have one switch in the mens room, and one switch in the womens room. Each switch controls only the lights in the respective room. However, either switch will turn on the same exhaust fan.

Steve

 

[stickboy1375]

The idea is to have one switch in the mens room, and one switch in the womens room. Each switch controls only the lights in the respective room. However, either switch will turn on the same exhaust fan.

Steve

You need a relay.