Spot lights turn on dim in bathroom and fan comes on when fan isolator is switched on but light switch is off

[Sam12]

When I turn my fan isolator on for my bathroom the 4 spotlights turn on but very dim and then the fan kicks in but my light switch is off!

 

[Murdoch]

Any recent changes to the bathroom electrics?

 

[Sam12]

Any recent changes to the bathroom electrics?

Had the bathroom redone and the sparky took a feed from the old connection and done his, when it was time do the fan this problem started happening

 

[Murdoch]

Assuming the same person did the fan then I would recommend you get them back.

Did they give you a certificate for the work completed?

 

[Sam12]

I did and he was stumped, he seemed to think the wattage rating of the spot lights were something to do with it so he recommended I get 4 new ones at 4.5w which I haven't done yet

 

[Sam12]

Won't let me post video but this is what the lights are looking like

 

[Sam12]

.

 

[Geoff1946]

Sounds like another case of inductive coupling in the wiring making led lamps glow. The 3 core to the fan will have a live core and switched live running adjacent. Maybe needs a snubber but I would have expected your spark to know about these.

 

[Sam12]

He hasn't mentioned anything like that, what is a snubber and would I be able to install it?

 

[Sam12]

So it wouldn't be anything to do with the spotlights then?

 

[Geoff1946]

It is to do with the spotlights in so far as they can start to operate at extremely low current, i.e. that induced into one wire from an adjacent live wire. (It's the same principle as a contactless tester, such as a voltstick.)
The fix, commonly referred to as a snubber, is to wire a capacitor across the affected lights. It must however be a special type designed to be across mains voltage without creating a hazard.
e.g. https://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/xeb1201/filter-xeb1201b-fly-lead/dp/CA06044

 

[Sam12]

Thankyou very much I appreciate that and you think that will be the problem solved?

 

[Murdoch]

I really think your "spark" should know this.

No certificate then?

 

[Sam12]

I really think your "spark" should know this.

No certificate then?

Can't get hold of him which sounds about right lol

 

[Sam12]

The sparky won't answer me

 

[Sharpend]

Is the fan supposed to run when lights off and isolator is switched on?

 

[Sam12]

The fan is supposed to run when the lights come on and then stays on for 2 mins then go off but it's only putting the lights on dim qhen the isolator is on and firing the fan up without me pressing the light switch

 

[Sharpend]

I’d suggest that your ‘spark’ isn’t as bright as they thought! It sounds as though they have wires crossed.
I’d suggest in the first instance calling them back, seeing as they aren’t answering we’re they registered with a scheme such as NICEIC, Napit, Stroma etc?

 

[Geoff1946]

Yes, on reflection about the fan behaviour I agree with Sharpend.
You may get those symptoms if the switched and permanent live are crossed. Really should have been obvious to the installer though.

 

[Murdoch]

The sparky won't answer me

Find him on social media and politely state that he doesn’t return calls nor address issues