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Installing a Occupancy Sensor Switch for a Bath Exhaust Fan

How is a Occupancy Sensor wired to control a bathroom exhaust fan? Wiring a Motion Occupancy Switch: Wiring Diagram for a Motion Detector Occupancy Switch.


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How to Wire a Motion Occupancy Switch for a Bath Exhaust Fan
[ad#block]Electrical Question: How is a Occupancy Sensor wired to control a bathroom exhaust fan?

I have bought a small extractor fan or exhaust fan which I want to install in my bathroom.I want to make it go on only when people enter the room so I bought a motion occupancy sensor. Can you please explain how I should wire them.

Regards,
Emmanuel

Background: Emmanuel, a Handyman in the UK.

Additional Comments: A very useful site. Keep up the good work!

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Emmanuel.

Wiring a Motion Occupancy Switch

Occupancy Sensor

Application: Wiring a Motion Occupancy Sensor Switch.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience and ability to work with hand tools.
Precaution: Identify the light circuit, turn it OFF andĀ  Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
Materials: Make sure the occupancy sensor has the same amperage and voltage rating for the electrical load, and is fully compatible with the electrical circuit and the device it will be controlling.

Installing a Occupancy Sensor Switch in a Bathroom

Wiring DiagramĀ for a Motion Detector Occupancy Switch

occupancy sensor wiring diagram

More about Wiring a Occupancy Switch

Electrical Wire for the Home

For more information about Bath Exhaust Fan
Bath Exhaust Fan
Bath Exhaust Fan
Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Answers to all of your questions about installing a bath exhaust fan and your bathroom exhaust fan replacement project.


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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

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Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

3 Responses to “Installing a Occupancy Sensor Switch for a Bath Exhaust Fan”
  1. pat says:

    I have had an electrician install motion sensors in the powder room and bathrooms to control the exhaust fans. They do not work properly. At the maximum setting the fans do not turn off, at the minimum setting the fans do not always recognize that the rooms are occupied, between these settings the fans will kick on every so often when the rooms are not occupied. I believe the motion sensors are inferior or perhaps defective. Do you have a recommended motion sensor that mounts in the duplex receptacle box?

  2. Doris Wright says:

    We have a double switch in our bathroom–one for light and one for exhaust fan. We want to replace with a occupancy sensor for light and a timer for exhaust. What is confusing us is the neutral wire. How would we do this?

  3. Dave Rongey says:

    Doris,
    Most occupancy sensors require a neutral wire to be at the switch box location. If your occupancy sensor requires a neutral connection then a neutral of the light that you want to control must be in the switch box. If there is not a neutral wire of the light circuit at the switch box then you may not be able to install the occupancy sensor.
    Dave