Gable Fan Switch

ffemt121 · 09-25-2012, 06:53 PM

Ok thanks Kevin, I will look into replacing it. I noticed when I was up there a lot of non-secured wires, should I be getting them secured to the joists also? I'm considering taking a room at a time and running a new home run for each room, just so I can relieve some of the strain on some of the 15 amp breakers

mpoulton · 09-25-2012, 07:47 PM

It's very common for wiring in a residential attic to not be properly secured, but it is a code violation. The required interval is every 4' (or is it 4-1/2'?), and passing through a hole drilled in framing counts as a point of attachment. I would not mess with it if it were mine, unless I were doing a lot of work up there already.

I second Kevin's opinion of that fan - it looks pretty questionable. It's also not grounded, since the metal armor of that flex conduit is not connected to the thermostat enclosure like it should be.

kevinp22 · 09-25-2012, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffemt121

I'm considering taking a room at a time and running a new home run for each room, just so I can relieve some of the strain on some of the 15 amp breakers

this is a great idea. you might rewire your house before its over. i do recommend getting permits for your work.

ffemt121 · 09-25-2012, 09:28 PM

I always do Kevin. I have learned very quickly just how tough out code enforcement folks can be

kevinp22 · 09-25-2012, 09:55 PM

well then welcome to the forum

we are here to help. post your questions and pics as you go.

many pros are on this board as well as DIY like me who love this stuff

ffemt121 · 09-25-2012, 10:30 PM

Thanks Kevin, I've always had pretty good luck with forums, and the people offering help. I will offer what I can, where I can.

bclee · 09-26-2012, 05:35 AM

I took your first photo into PhotoShop and enhanced it to see what was in the darkness. Also rotated it 180 degrees to make it easier to look at. It seems to be the manual cutout switch. If that's a bulb shell for an indicator light, it certainly sticks out a lot. At any rate, the switch was designed to be in a switchbox with a coverplate over the front.
Brian

ffemt121 · 09-26-2012, 08:02 AM

I know it was meant to be in a box. The room it's in us unused and we plan on reconfiguring the walls, so rather than run it into a wall that will be demoed in a few months, I nailed a single gang new work box to the inside of the closet's door frame, up high by the corner. That way, I'm the only one in the house who can reach it. I pulled the line thru, trimmed about 24" off it, re-stripped it and put a new switch on it. Then I mounted it in the box and trimmed down a switch plate cover so it would fit properly, and cover the area around the switch. Then I used the wire staples to secure the wire to the wall in there. It's just a temporary way to try and make it a bit safer until I have the time and money replace it all

Missouri Bound · 09-26-2012, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bclee

It seems to be the manual cutout switch.

You can tell that by looking at it?

The only way to determine what it is really for is to see how it's wired.
Depending on the amount of terminals on the switch it could be an override switch or a disconnect for the fan: and the pilot light could indicate when the switch is on, or when the fan is on.

ffemt121 · 09-26-2012, 02:49 PM

No I could tell by looking at it that it should have been in a box...I could also tell by looking at it that the wire should have been installed in a wall...just little things I've picked up!!! Hahahahahah

Oh, duh, you weren't talking to me. He is right though, it is a cut out switch...doesn't matter much now though, I replaced the switch entirely