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Does anyone know of a bathroom extractor fan which works from a dimmer switch also wired to a light? When the light is on dim, the fan does not come on, but when it is up full, the fan switches in. This is great at night when you visit the loo and don't want to wake your partner with a bright light and a ceiling fan humming, and saves having two separate switches. I know they exist but can't find the make.
(This is my first post - hope I did it right!)

[ceilingfanrepair]

Why not just have the light on a dimmer and the fan on a separate on/off switch?

[tkrussell]

Generally, lights are controlled by dimmers, which change the AC sine wave, and motors are controlled by speed controls that change the voltage.

This is why your fan does not start until the light is near full on.

I know of no, and cannot find, any control that will control both a light and fan motor.

The installation you have, with the light and fan connected together, should only have a standard switch to control both. The dimmer may damage the motor, eventually.

ANd judging by the words used, I am guessing you are located in UK, or some other European country. Need to be careful, as the voltage there is 220 volts. Best to contact the manufacturer of your fan to leard what devices they recommend to control the fan motor.

To do separate switches as ceilingfanrepair suggested will mean new wiring be installed from a switch location to the fan, which is probably not practical, or more work than you want to handle.

[[email protected]]

Thanks for that - it's helpful. I guess my pal who has this arrangement (in Guernsey, UK) which I wanted to copy, might find that the dimmer eventually damages the motor. Perhaps I'll stick to two separate switches after all...

[ceilingfanrepair]

I was thinking that the switch he was speaking of was actually two switches in one-- a dimmer with a built in SPST that was engaged when the dimmer was at full. This would also require separate wiring for the light and fan.