Vent Fan Switch Install Disipline

[zakthor]

I think Whoever remodelled our house had a rule: if room had a vent switch then it was the first one in the room. Started as a curiosity but now im used to it. Always struck me as a great idea, someone had a clue(*).

Kids turn the fan on if youre taking a shower! I ought to sell you off you little bastids…

Visiting with friends im noticing the switches are set totally randomly. Sort of want to do them a favor and impose some order on their switches…

(*) unlike whoever did the wiring in a different old house - i made a table and of the 31 outlets, 14 were wired backwards, neat that probability works even when someone is paying no attention at all.

[masraum]

If there are multiple switches in one spot, if i get a chance, I'm particular about their placement (what switch controls what circuit). Although I rarely care about vents. I do think about the placement of light switches. My wife doesn't care or notice.

[MBAtarga]

I believe the standard is the first switch closest to the doorway is for the room lights. It's a safety thing - you don't want to fumble around in the dark trying to determine which switch controls them.

[zakthor]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

I believe the standard is the first switch closest to the doorway is for the room lights. It's a safety thing - you don't want to fumble around in the dark trying to determine which switch controls them.

Sounds like a useless standard to me: now i feel like im arguing with my dad:
1) if you cant see the switches then youre going to switch what you reach, no guarantee its a light.
2) no harm flipping random switches (except for that old 8’ ripping saw in front of the toilet)

Cant see how theres a safety difference where the switch is.
In all our rooms with powered vents theres multiple light switches, the fan is the special one i want switched on.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by zakthor

Sounds like a useless standard to me: now i feel like im arguing with my dad:
1) if you cant see the switches then youre going to switch what you reach, no guarantee its a light.
2) no harm flipping random switches (except for that old 8’ ripping saw in front of the toilet)

Cant see how theres a safety difference where the switch is.
In all our rooms with powered vents theres multiple light switches, the fan is the special one i want switched on.

Makes sense to me, the nearest switch is the switch for the lights. That's how I'd do it in the situation like a bathroom with a light switch and a fan switch. If it's multiple lights, then all bets are off. It'll depend upon where the lights are.

[Zeke]

In a 2-gang box the first switch is the lights. Ask any electrician doing new wiring. If you want the vent to come on every time the room is used, put it on a timed relay to come on with the lights with an override. The override should be a momentary switch that opens the relay.

A lot of hassle for the typical home.

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by zakthor

1) if you cant see the switches then you're going to switch what you reach, no guarantee its a light.

Thanks for proving the point and why this is standard!

[Zeke]

There is this wonderful thing called an illuminated switch.

[porsche tech]

Two examples in my house. One is a bathroom and one is the eating area in the kitchen (ceiling fan). Not too standard…probably mess up somebody’s OCD.

[stevej37]

I have no idea....bump

[Zeke]

Makes perfect sense to me. Most of mine aren't labeled but the heat vs fan in the bath is.

[KFC911]

Screw discipline .... the faceplate screws should all be perfectly verticle with no scratches and that second pic is just wrong .

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by KC911

Screw discipline .... the faceplate screws should all be perfectly verticle with no scratches and that second pic is just wrong .

My wife is big on clocking screws so I comply. But we have surface mounted old timey hinges on the kitchen cabinets with slotted screws. I told her you don't do that with little wood screws. They go in so far and that's it, wherever they line up, or don't is a matter of being just tight enough.

[stevej37]

I have to say....I have never thought of this question.

[stevej37]

bump

[jyl]

Originally Posted by Zeke

My wife is big on clocking screws so I comply. But we have surface mounted old timey hinges on the kitchen cabinets with slotted screws. I told her you don't do that with little wood screws. They go in so far and that's it, wherever they line up, or don't is a matter of being just tight enough.

That’s why God makes Torx screws!