Broan AE50110DCS Installation Manual

Roomside / FlexTM Series
Humidity Sensing Fan

READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

For Warranty Statement, Service Parts, Technical Support, or to
Register your product, please visit our website or call:
In the United States - Broan.com 800-637-1453 or NuTone.com
888-336-6151. In Canada - Broan.ca or NuTone.ca 877-896-1119

WARNING

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO
PERSONS, OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Use this unit only in the manner intended by the manufacturer. If
you have questions, contact the manufacturer at the address or
telephone number listed in the warranty.

2. Before servicing or cleaning unit, switch power off at service panel
and lock the service disconnecting means to prevent power from
being switched on accidentally. When the service disconnecting
means cannot be locked, securely fasten a prominent warning device,
such as a tag, to the service panel.

3. Installation work and electrical wiring must be done by a qualified
person(s) in accordance with all applicable codes and standards,
including fire-rated construction codes and standards.

4. Sufficient air is needed for proper combustion and exhausting of
gases through the flue (chimney) of fuel burning equipment to
prevent backdrafting. Follow the heating equipment manufacturer’s
guideline and safety standards such as those published by the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the American
Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE), and the local code authorities.

5. When cutting or drilling into wall or ceiling, do not damage electrical
wiring and other hidden utilities.

6. Ducted fans must always be vented to the outdoors.

7. Acceptable for use over a tub or shower when connected to a GFCI
(Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) - protected branch circuit (ceiling
installation only).

8. This unit must be grounded.

OPERATION

The humidity sensor and fan can be operated separately. Use an on/off
switch or a 2-function wall control.

FlexTM Humidity Sensing Fan ONLY: Do not use a speed control to
operate the humidity sensor or the fan.

SENSOR OPERATION

This humidity-sensing fan uses a sophisticated humidity sensor that
responds to: (a) rapid to moderate increases in humidity or (b) humidity
above a set-point. The humidity sensor may occasionally turn the fan
ON when environmental conditions change.

MANUAL ON WITH TIMED OFF

This humidity sensing fan has an additional operation feature. For odor
or vapor control, the fan can be energized by cycling the power switch.
Once the fan has been energized in this manner, it will remain on for
the set timer period.

To manually energize the fan:

1. If fan power switch is already ON, proceed to Step 2; otherwise,
turn power switch ON for more than 1 second.

2. Turn fan power switch OFF for less than 1 second.

3. Turn fan power switch back ON and fan will turn ON.

%HUMIDITY MINUTES

15

10

5

20 30

40

50

60

50

60

70

80

CAUTION

1. For general ventilating use only. Do not use to exhaust hazardous
or explosive materials and vapors.

2. For installation in flat ceilings only. Do not mount this product in a
wall.

3. To avoid motor bearing damage and noisy and/or unbalanced
impellers, keep drywall spray, construction dust, etc. off power unit.

4. DO NOT TOUCH THE HUMIDITY-SENSING CIRCUIT BOARD.
Electrostatic discharge may damage the circuit board.

5. Please read specification label on product for further information
and requirements.

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE

For quiet and efficient operation, long life, and attractive appearance

- lower or remove grille and vacuum interior of unit with the dusting

brush attachment.
The motor is permanently lubricated and never needs oiling. If the motor

bearings are making excessive or unusual noises, replace the blower
assembly (includes motor and impeller).

SENSOR CLEANING

The humidity sensor is mounted in the control housing. The sensor will
operate most reliably when cleaned occasionally as follows:

1. Disconnect power at service entrance.

2. Remove the grille. Use a dry dustcloth, clean toothbrush, or lightly
vacuum to clean sensor and grille. DO NOT USE ABRASIVE CLOTH,
STEEL WOOL PADS, OR SCOURING POWDERS.

3. DO NOT USE cleaning sprays, solvents, or water on or near the
sensor!

Factory settings shown.

% HUMIDITY ADJUSTMENT

%HUMIDITY has been factory set at 80% for most shower applications.
If fan is not responding to changing humidity conditions, adjust toward
50%. If fan is responding too often to changing humidity conditions,
adjust toward 80%. If fan is still responding too often at 80%, contact
Broan Technical Support.

To adjust the %HUMIDITY:

1. Turn power off at electrical service panel.

2. Use a small screwdriver to carefully rotate %HUMIDITY control to
desired level.

3. Turn power on.

4. Repeat above steps if necessary.

MINUTES ADJUSTMENT (TIMER)

This humidity-sensing fan has a timer that controls how long the fan
remains on after (a) rise in humidity and (b) humidity level are both
below the user-adjustable %HUMIDITY setting, or after being energized
by cycling power switch.

To adjust the timer:

1. Disconnect power at electrical service panel.

2. Use a small screwdriver to carefully rotate MINUTES control to
increase or decrease time.

3. Turn power on.

4. Repeat above steps if necessary.

1

COOKING AREA

Do not install above or

inside this area.

NOT FOR USE IN

A COOKING AREA.

IMPORTANT -

o

45

Cooking

Equipment

The ducting from this fan to the outside of the building

45

o

Floor

has a strong effect on the air flow, noise and energy use of the fan. Use the
shortest, straightest duct routing possible for best performance, and avoid
installing the fan with smaller ducts than recommended. Insulation around
the ducts can reduce energy loss and inhibit mold growth. Fans installed
with existing ducts may not achieve their rated airflow.

ALL INSTALLATIONS

ROOF CAP* (with built-in damper)

INSULATION
(Place around and
over fan housing.)

FAN

HOUSING

POWER

CABLE *

Seal gaps

around

housing.

4-IN. ROUND

DUCT*

* Purchase separately.

Seal duct joints

with tape.

OR

4-IN. ROUND

ELBOWS*

Keep duct

runs short.

WALL CAP*
(with built-in

damper)

OPTION - To mount housing anywhere between ceiling framing:

Use optional Hanger Bar Kit (sold separately from local distributors or
website). Follow mounting instructions included with kit.

Remove all packing material, unplug

1

1

and remove blower from fan housing.

Some models only:

4

1

A pair of  anges
may be attached to
housing if desired
or required.

Snap both flange pieces
under rolled-over edge of
housing (all four sides).

Remove wiring panel

2

1

from fan housing (if
already installed).

Some models only:

3

1

Select 50, 80 or 110
CFM based on your room
size and desired
air  ow.

For Retro t Installation ­Skip to Page 3.

50 80 110

2

NEW INSTALLATION

I-JOIST

Attach damper/duct connector to

5

1

fan housing.

Push connector
through opening
from inside of
housing.

Engage tabs
and secure with
screw from

TABS

parts bag.

Connect 4-in.

7 8

round duct.

Mount housing to

6

1

ceiling structure.

Make sure bottom of housing will
be flush with finished ceiling.

For proper location using ½”
ceiling material: Bend out
housing tabs (on outside of
housing) to fit against bottom of
joist.

Secure housing through
mounting ears with appropriate
fasteners. If mounting housing
to I-joist, use wood blocking as
shown.

Connect

11

wiring.

Connect power cable
to wiring plate (from
parts bag) using UL
approved connector.
Connect house
wiring to fan wiring.
Refer to wiring
diagrams for connection details. Use screw
(from parts bag) to secure wiring plate to fan
housing. Re-install wiring panel and secure with
screw from parts bag.

HOUSING TABS

Install housing

9

1

mask.

Place
mask
into
housing
opening to
prevent
drywall spray
and construction dust from
damaging sensor.

Finish ceiling.

10

1

Then continue with Step 11.

ev

r

to p

, or paint

y

a

r

wall sp

roduct.

y

r

ve this mask in place

a

Le

uction dust, d

SK BEFORE

A

constr

om damaging inside of p

VE M

r

f

O

REM

TALLING GRILLE.

S

IN

d’endommager

e de construction, le plâtre ou la

.

Laissez ce masque en place pour empêcher

, etc

e

r

la poussièr

ieur du p

peintu

S

A

l’intér

ENLEVEZ CE M

D’INSTALLER LA GRILLE.

a cubierta en su lu

t

Deje es

vos de construcción, r

l

a dañen el in

r

que po

o pintu

UITE LA CUBIERT

ALAR LA REJILLA.

Q

T

S

DE IN

WOOD
BLOCKING

ent

oduit.

r

ANT

AV

UE

Q

vitar

e

a

eso

gar par

.

to

ocíos de y

ior del produc

r

e

t

99352432A

ANTES

A

RETROFIT INSTALLATION

Remove old

5

1

fan and prepare
ceiling.

Enlarge ceiling opening (if

9¾-in.

necessary) to 9¾” parallel to
joist) by 10½” (perpendicular
to joist). (Some models have
a cut-out template on side of

1

carton.)
Existing fan housings are typically attached to the structure:

with screws, nails, or staples, which must be removed.

•
with hangers or rails which are fastened to joists and must be removed along with housing.

•

A pry bar may be needed to remove the old housing.
Leave ductwork and wiring in place.

Connect wiring.

7

1

Connect power cable to wiring

plate (from parts bag) using UL
approved connector. Connect house wiring
to fan wiring. Refer to wiring diagrams for
connection details. Use screw (from parts
bag) to secure wiring plate to fan housing.
Re-install wiring panel and secure with
screw from parts bag.

3

10½-in.

JOIST

2

8

1

Mount housing
to ceiling
structure with
appropriate
fasteners
in locations
shown.

Fold mounting ears

6

1

 at against housing.

Mount fan to ceiling structure.

Connect 4-in. round duct.

9

1

Pull existing ducting through housing



discharge opening and tape ducting to
duct connector. Push connector/ducting
back through opening. Engage tabs and

secure with screw from parts bag.



Install blower.

11

1

Re-install blower removed in
Step1. Secure blower with 2
screws from parts bag. Plug
blower into black receptacle.

FlexTM Humidity Sensing Fan
ONLY: Plug 5-wire plug into

controller module.

3

1

2

ALL INSTALLATIONS

TABS

4

Continue with Step 11.

FlexTM Humidity

Sensing Fan

ONLY

12

Install grille.

1

Plug in sensor wires.

Squeeze grille springs and

insert into slots in blower. Push

grille up against ceiling.

Depending upon model

- your grille may look
different.

WIRING DIAGRAMS

WIRING OPTION #1

• When switch is ON, fan will operate automatically,
based on room humidity conditions.

• Turn fan ON immediately for the set timer period (to
control odors), by cycling switch.

ON / OFF SWITCH

(PURCHASE SEPARATELY)

120
VAC
LINE

IN

ON / OFF

SWITCH

BLK

WHT

GRD

SWITCH BOX

WHT

GRD

BLK

GREY

BRN

HUMIDITY
CONTROL

UNIT

BLK

FAN

WHT

WHT

WHT

If grille spring

becomes dislodged

from grille - snap it

back into place as

shown.

WIRING OPTION #2

• When first switch (1) is ON, fan will operate automatically based on
room humidity conditions.

(2)

FAN

(ON/OFF)

(1)

HUMIDITY
CONTROL

(AUTO/OFF)

BLK
WHT

GRD

2-FUNCTION CONTROL

(PURCHASE SEPARATELY)

COM

SWITCH BOX

RED

BLK

WHT

GRD

GREY

BRN

HUMIDITY
CONTROL

UNIT

BLK

FAN

WHT

WHT

1100263D

• Turn fan ON
immediately
(to control
odors) by
using sec­ond switch
(2).

4

120
VAC
LINE

IN

WHT