Feedback welcome...


NT



Pullcord switch noise

New '''Pullcord switches''' widely used in bathrooms have become noisy
over the last few decades. In some cases they can wake the whole
household up at night. Diyers trying to buy quiet ones are failing to
find them.

==Sound reduction strategies==
===Current rating===
2A switches are less noisy than 10A ones.

===Mounting point===
When mounted to [[plasterboard]], the board acts as a sounding board,
increasing the noise. Its quieter to [[screw]] the switch through to a
timber joist, though there isn't always one in the right place.

===Tablelamp switch===
A 1A tablelamp pullcord switch can be fitted inside a standard
pullcord switch enclosure, mounted on rubber tap washers. But these
aren't as robust, abuse of the pullcord can break them.

===Rubber mount===
Mounting the switch enclosure to the ceiling with tapwashers helps a
lot.
* The traditional fixing consists of, in order: ceiling plasterboard,
switch enclosure base, screw
* A rubber mounted fixing consists of, in order: ceiling plasterboard,
rubber tapwasher, switch enclosure base, rubber tapwasher, large metal
washer, screw
* See [[Fan_noise_reduction#Flexible_mounting]]

===Low level lighting===
Very low level [[lighting]] often avoids the need to use the main
light, especially at night when the noise is worst. [[LED]] lighting
is the obvious candidate, and the lowest power [[CFL]]s.

===Relay===
Standard mains wallswitch on 6v operating a relay.

===Switches outside the bathroom===
Pullcord switches are then unnecessary. Children can be a nuisance
with them.

===Pullcord dimmer===
Luxury options can be silent, but expensive.

===Switch above ceiling===
Occasionally its possible to mount the switch to timber above the
ceiling, and run the pullcord through a very small ceiling hole with a
drilled disc on the plasterboard to tidy it up (and stop the cord
damaging the plasterboard). Round the edges of the hole to avoid cord
damage. This is doable where there's loft access above.

===PIR sensor===
Bathroom lights operated by a PIR sensor are sometimes suggested. In
practice they result in complaints such as being dazzled by unwanted
light at night, and lights going out when busy.


==See also==
[[:Category:Bathrooms]]
[[:Category:Electrical]]
[[:Category:Lighting]]
[[:Category:Noise]]

On Sat, 19 Mar 2011 20:45:25 -0700 (PDT), Tabby
wrote:

Feedback welcome...


NT



Pullcord switch noise

New '''Pullcord switches''' widely used in bathrooms have become noisy
over the last few decades. In some cases they can wake the whole
household up at night. Diyers trying to buy quiet ones are failing to
find them.

Just keep a gazunder by your bedside.

Or drink less in the evening.

--
Frank Erskine

On 20/03/2011 03:45, Tabby wrote:

===Switches outside the bathroom===

You've neglected to mention that ordinary wall switches can also be used
*inside* the bathroom, provided they're installed beyond the zones (i.e.
600 mm from bath or shower tray) and are generally suitable for the
location.

--
Andy

On Mar 21, 12:06*am, Andy Wade wrote:
On 20/03/2011 03:45, Tabby wrote:

===Switches outside the bathroom===

You've neglected to mention that ordinary wall switches can also be used
*inside* the bathroom, provided they're installed beyond the zones (i.e.
*600 mm from bath or shower tray) and are generally suitable for the
location.

Anything in a bathroom also needs to be suitable for the location, and
I cant see a vanilla wall switch being ok with dripping condensation.


NT

In message
,
Tabby writes
On Mar 21, 12:06*am, Andy Wade wrote:
On 20/03/2011 03:45, Tabby wrote:

===Switches outside the bathroom===

You've neglected to mention that ordinary wall switches can also be used
*inside* the bathroom, provided they're installed beyond the zones (i.e.
*600 mm from bath or shower tray) and are generally suitable for the
location.

Anything in a bathroom also needs to be suitable for the location, and
I cant see a vanilla wall switch being ok with dripping condensation.


This surely depends on ventilation though.

Neither bathroom in our old house, nor the one in this current house
suffer from dripping condensation.
--
Chris French