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    Todd1249's Avatar
    Todd1249 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jul 11, 2008, 09:48 PM
    Troubleshoot: Bathroom Fan causing breaker to trip
    I have just installed a new Panasonic ventilating fan in our bathroom.

    Model #: FV-08VS1

    When I turn on the fan, the breaker trips.

    Have checked the electrical connections and everything appears to be connected properly.

    There is no other load on this ciruit.

    Any ideas?
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jul 11, 2008, 10:48 PM
    Give us more detail. New install or replacement, what's connected to what?
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #3

    Jul 12, 2008, 04:33 AM
    Is it a GFI breaker?
    Todd1249's Avatar
    Todd1249 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Jul 12, 2008, 07:36 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Todd1249
    I have just installed a new Panasonic ventilating fan in our bathroom.

    Model #: FV-08VS1

    When I turn on the fan, the breaker trips.

    Have checked the electrical connections and everything appears to be connected properly.

    There is no other load on this ciruit.

    Any ideas?
    This is a new install. Just completed the rough-in inspection and prior to drywalling, wanted to check everything.

    This is a bathroom, and have the lighting and outlets on 1 x 20 amp circuit. Bathroom is separated into two areas: Vanity, and Shower/toilet. With this in mind, I have two sets of lights; one set covering the vanity, and another in the toiltet / shower area.

    As for how the power feeds the bathroom, it comes into an outlet box first. The outlet is not installed, but the wiring is connected using wire connectors. From there, it feeds the first light switch box (Vanity). These lights work fine. From this switch box, the power feeds to a second outlet & the second light switch box, which has the light and Fan connections for the shower / toilet area. The light works fine. It is only when I turn on the fan, that the breaker trips.

    I have double checked all connections, and everything looks to connected.

    Is there a special switch I need to use to turn the fan on and off with? I used a standard 20 amp light switch.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #5

    Jul 12, 2008, 07:41 AM
    The switch is fine. I would disconnect hot wire at fan and try switch, if it trips it is the wire from switch that is shorting, if it doesn't trip, the fan has a short.
    Be sure the switch terminal is not touching a bare ground.
    Todd1249's Avatar
    Todd1249 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #6

    Jul 15, 2008, 05:48 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Todd1249
    I have just installed a new Panasonic ventilating fan in our bathroom.

    Model #: FV-08VS1

    When I turn on the fan, the breaker trips.

    Have checked the electrical connections and everything appears to be connected properly.

    There is no other load on this ciruit.

    Any ideas?
    Thanks for the help.

    I followed your (Stratmando) instructions on troubleshooting and was able to isolate the issue to a short in the wire from coming into the fan. Turns out there was a nick in hot wire, which caused the problem.

    Once I replaced the wire and re-connected everything, everything worked perfectly.

    THANK YOU!
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