How do you tell if an existing outlet box will support a ceiling fan?
The manufacturer must have marked the outlet box system to indicate that it is acceptable for ceiling fan installations. If the original box is not listed for this purpose, it must be retrofitted and attached securely to the building structure.
How much weight can a ceiling electrical box support?
A ceiling box can support a fixture of 50 pounds or less. A ceiling box rated for “fan support” can support a fan of 35 pounds or less.
What type of box can be used to support a ceiling fan?
Most building codes require ceiling fans to be mounted on special fan-rated boxes, which are made of metal or strong plastic and have deep-threaded holes for the mounting screws. The box must be mounted firmly, either by attaching it directly to a framing member or by using a fan-rated brace.
What is the minimum weight that a ceiling outlet box is required to support?
50 lb
(2) Ceiling Outlets
Boxes shall be required to support a luminaire weighing a minimum of 23 kg (50 lb).
How much weight can a plastic electrical box hold?
Conventional metal or plastic rough-in boxes aren’t supposed to hold any more than 50 pounds, and most fans exert more force than that.
What size are ceiling fan boxes?
Ceiling Fan-Rated Electrical Box
They come in several different types and sizes, including 1/2-inch-deep “pancake” versions and standard 2 1/8-inch-deep boxes. Ceiling fan boxes are usually round but can be octagonal, and are either made of metal or durable plastic.
How much weight can an old electrical box hold?
Suitable for fixture support up to 50 lbs. With the the old work version(B618R), it states. Not listed for fixture support in ceilings.
Can a ceiling fan be too heavy?
If you don’t see something like that, you’re going to need to take out some of the ceiling and replace to box with a fan box or run the risk of the fan being too heavy and falling down at the worst possible time.
Can my light fixture support a ceiling fan?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: If you want to put a ceiling fan in between joists you can use a fan support box like this which has a maximum weight of 70 pounds. And that's all metal.
What type and size of box may be used for ceiling fan light wall box?
An octagon electrical box is a common type of box that is typically used for installing light fixtures on a wall or ceiling. They are usually made of metal and come in standard sizes of 4 x 4 inches, and in depths of 1 1/4, 1 1/2, and 2 1/8 inches deep.
What is a fan rated outlet box?
A ceiling fan rated electrical box is used to house electrical wire connections and properly support heavy fixtures such as your Hunter Fan.
What size outlet box do I need?
Table of Electrical Box Sizes vs Number of Wires Allowed
| NEC Table 314.16 (A) Metal Electrical Boxes for Devices | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 x 2 x 2 ” Device Box | 10 | 5 |
| 3 x 2 x 2 1/2″ Device Box | 12.5 | 6 |
| 3 x 2 x 3 1/2″ Device Box | 18 | 9 |
| 4 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/2″ Device Box | 10.3 | 5 |
How do you retrofit a ceiling fan electrical box?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You can leave the box inside the ceiling. The new box will be supported by a ceiling fan brace. You can get one at any Home Center slip the brace into the ceiling and Center it over the hole.
Do you need an electrical box for ceiling fan?
Make sure the electrical box that holds the ceiling fan in place is fan-rated. Ceiling fans are heavy and cannot be installed without the right electrical box.
Are pancake boxes fan rated?
Quite often, a fan rated pancake box is used when roughing in the ceiling fan installation. Many of these boxes only have a total volume of 6 or 8 cubic inches. One single 14-3 (with ground) Nonmetallic sheathed cable will completely fill the 8 cubic inch fan box to its maximum allowable capacity.
