It would be difficult to explain this situation, but the bottom line and my question is: does anyone know if it would be against any code to "hardwire" an exhaust fan to run all the time = used to be on a timer switch = now they want it on all the time. I have read online that manufacturer'r don't recommend it, but i can't find anywhere it says it would be against code
Bath Fan
- Thread starter Klev21
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
No NEC issue that I know of unless it goes against the manufacturer's instructions or listing. In large buildings toilet exhaust fans run all of the time. It could be an energy code issue.
texie
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- Occupation
- Electrician, Contractor, Inspector
If you use a typical resi grade fan I don't think it will last long. I've used these for 24 hour applications: https://www.solerpalau-usa.com/products/isdf/td-silent.html
They are amazing fans. Very quite and run forever.
They are amazing fans. Very quite and run forever.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Looks nice, and expensive.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
If you can use an in;line fan that would be the best. Fantech fans cannot die....LOL They actually closed up the exhaust on the fantech and the company swears it ran for 30 days continuously and it was still going when they pulled the plug.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Most typical exhaust fans spin faster with the outlet blocked, not slower.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Yes inlet or outlet blocked. The only issue is if the fan is running too fast because it's not moving any air and it wasn't designed to do so. I'm not sure if that animal even exists.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
It wouldn't be because of running to fast, but there are fan motors that rely on the stream of air they create moving over them to dissipate heat in the windings.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
That makes sense, the fan itself it moving air to also cool the motor. I was thinking of something like a shop vac, if you cut off the supply the motor the current drops and it quickly runs at a much higher speed. I was just wondering if that "load" is somehow factored into the design because without it just sounds like it would burn out a bearing or something in a short period of time.
goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
You would still need a disconnect means (either cord & plug & receptacle or a switch locally). Otherwise, you would have to install a breaker lock. Aside from the durability of the fan and manufacturers' recommendations (as others have noted) I don't see any NEC violations.
- Status