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I bought replacement for my bathroom exhaust fan. Basically what i bought was this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-50-CFM-Wall-Ceiling-Mount-Roomside-Installation-Bathroom-Exhaust-Fan-ENERGY-STAR-7114-01/206159603 However, the fan (that was replaced by a licensed electrician) keeps cycling on and off. The electrician mentioned that i need to replace the timer switch for the fan.

So i bought this: https://www.amazon.com/Enerlites-HET06A-White-1-5-10-15-20-30-Countdown-Decorator/dp/B00IB0ZJXE/ref=sr_1_5?crid=B3E1ECT5H6H1&keywords=timer+switch+for+bathroom+fan&qid=1579763344&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sprefix=timer+swit%2Caps%2C292&sr=8-5

However, when i opened the old timer i did not find a neutral wire while this needs a neutral.

Is there a way to have a timer replace the old timer . Without a neutral wire. And fix the problem with the bathroom fan going on and off.

Machavity
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Captain Jack sparrow
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  • Was your old timer a pushbutton or did you need to turn it yourself? Do you have an objection to timers that you turn with a twist of your wrist? – Harper - Reinstate Monica Jan 23 '20 at 10:47
  • Can you post a photo of the inside of the switch box please? – ThreePhaseEel Jan 23 '20 at 12:38
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    Does this answer your question? [How can I install this programmable switch where a neutral is not present?](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/24966/how-can-i-install-this-programmable-switch-where-a-neutral-is-not-present) – Machavity Jan 23 '20 at 14:47
  • The old one was an electrical one. But when I opened it up it has two black wires, one green but no white wire. I can post the pic tonight. Thank you – Captain Jack sparrow Jan 23 '20 at 17:23

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You circuit is wired without bringing the neutral wire to the switch box and so only the HOT wire comes to the switch and the switched wire goes back to the fan. For a traditional (i.e. dumb) switch, this works fine.

When you try to use a "smart" switch, and your electronic timer switch is such a switch, you have to supply power to the switch itself and that requires a neutral.

Two options:

  1. Rewire the circuit between the fan and the switch to include a neutral wire.
  2. Fall back to a mechanical timer switch that doesn't require any power of its own.
jwh20
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