If the safety switch drops out every time the exhaust fan starts, or after a long hot shower, the safety switch is doing its job. It has detected current leaking somewhere it shouldn't, and in a bathroom that often means moisture.
Leave the circuit off if it won't stay on, and call 0421 772 661. We'll find which part is leaking and fix it.
A safety switch (RCD) trips to protect people from electric shock. Don't hold it on, tape it, or keep resetting it. If you see water coming through the ceiling near the fan or light, a burning smell, or scorch marks, turn off the main switch if it's safe to reach and stay clear of the area. Call 000 for any fire or injury.
Never remove the fan grille or try to dry the fan out yourself. Water and mains wiring in a ceiling need testing by a licensed electrician.
Does it trip the moment the fan starts, only after showers, only when it rains, or at random? That timing is one of the most useful clues you can give us.
Switch the fan off at the wall, then reset the safety switch once. If it holds with the fan off but trips as soon as the fan runs, leave the fan off and call us.
Look for water stains, drips or bubbling paint around the fan. Moisture tracking down the duct, or a roof leak, can reach the fan's wiring.
If it only trips after showers, wait until the room is fully dry. If the fan then runs without tripping, moisture is almost certainly involved. That still needs fixing; it won't get better on its own.
Condensation in the duct. Warm, wet air cools as it travels along the duct, especially through a cold roof space in winter. The water can run back into the fan and onto its motor or connections. A duct that falls back towards the fan, or one that's too long or uninsulated, makes this worse.
A failing motor. Fan motors that have absorbed years of moisture can lose their insulation, so a small current leaks to earth and trips the safety switch. The fix is a new fan.
Roof leaks and storm water. If tripping started after rain, water may be coming in around a roof vent, flashing or tiles and reaching the fan or nearby wiring. Our guide to power tripping when it rains covers this in more detail. The roof itself is a job for a roofer; we make the electrical side safe.
Damaged cabling. Cables in the roof space can be damaged by heat, vermin or previous work. Testing the circuit with the fan disconnected tells us whether the fault is in the fan or the wiring.
Call us whenever the safety switch trips more than once, whether or not you can see water. A safety switch that keeps tripping is a warning, and the underlying fault can get worse.
We isolate the fan, test the circuit and the fan separately, check the duct and look for water entry. We'll tell you whether you need a new fan, a better duct run or a wiring repair. Our safety switch keeps tripping guide explains our general approach, and this guide covers how fans should be ducted.
Moisture from the shower is likely reaching the fan's motor or connections, often through condensation in the duct. It needs fixing, not just waiting out.
If the safety switch holds with the fan switched off, you can use the other circuits normally until it's fixed, but get the fan looked at soon to avoid mould.
Rarely. Usually it's correctly detecting a fault. Our page on a safety switch that won't reset explains the difference.
If condensation is the cause, a properly run and vented duct helps a lot. A fan with damaged insulation will still need replacing.
It doesn't usually need one. What matters more is that the circuit is protected by a working safety switch, and we'll check your protection while we're there. See safety switch rules in NSW.
NSW Electrical Contractor Licence 332956C · Fully insured · Since 2016 · Based in Hurlstone Park
Excellent electrician Blue Link Electrical was honest, knowledgeable, and took the time to answer my questions The work was completed quickly without rushing and everything works perfectly Will be using them
Very professional and reliable service. Blue Link Electrical were punctual, friendly, and knew exactly what they were doing. The job was completed to a high standard and the place was left clean. Highly recommend to anyone needing electrical work.
Can't fault the service from Blue Link Electrical From first contact to job completion everything was smooth and professional Quality workmanship and great attention to detail. One of the best trades experiences I've had. Make sure you do them slowly
Shown in full, as written on our Google Business Profiles.
Send us a few details and we'll get back to you with a clear, upfront quote.