Mounting a Fan

[Jeff80]

In a residential house, how can you tell if a box is rated to hold a fan? There is currently a ceiling mounted light in a plastic 2x4xdeep box and I want to change to a fan. What is the easiest way to make it hold a fan if it cant already?

 

[macmikeman]

Support the fan from the structure not the box. You will still need to have a box, but you can support the fan direct to structure in addition to the box. Long lag screws. Dig?

 

[iMuse97]

1. a metal box with a plaster ring is not rated for fan support.

2. a typical carlon type ceiling box is not rated for fan support.

3. the very heavy-duty plastic boxes are fan-rated.

4. the fan support boxes I'm familiar with are designed to accept 10-32 screws, not 8-32s.

5. if you are unsure about your box for any reason, see MMM's post.

 

[roger3829]

They do make a adjustable fan brace bar that can be retro-fitted into an existing ceiling. I'll try to get the manufactures name

 

[M. D.]

I've used this box,.. works great if original is mounted to side of joist

http://www.licensedelectrician.com/Store/SmartBox-3.htm

 

[e57]

Support the fan from the structure not the box. You will still need to have a box, but you can support the fan direct to structure in addition to the box. Long lag screws. Dig?

I know you could do it in some code cycles - but at least for the 08 cycle (314.27(D) - the box has to be rated and listed for fan use. You still can do light fixtures in the way you describe - I will often use long 1/4-20 hanger bolts through to framing and 4S and 3/0 ring. On a few occasions strut and 3/8" bolts.

 

[macmikeman]

I know you could do it in some code cycles - but at least for the 08 cycle (314.27(D) - the box has to be rated and listed for fan use. You still can do light fixtures in the way you describe - I will often use long 1/4-20 hanger bolts through to framing and 4S and 3/0 ring. On a few occasions strut and 3/8" bolts.

Well there you go. I won't need to know that until November when we go 08. As soon as November starts I'll know it thanks to you.

 

[macmikeman]

I've used this box,.. works great if original is mounted to side of joist

http://www.licensedelectrician.com/Store/SmartBox-3.htm

I bought a case of them as soon as they came to my supply house. Haven't had a good reason to use a single one yet..... The single gang smart boxes go like hot cakes, guess I got a bit excited.

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

I bought a case of them as soon as they came to my supply house. Haven't had a good reason to use a single one yet..... The single gang smart boxes go like hot cakes, guess I got a bit excited.

I'll take some off your hands

 

[M. D.]

........ guess I got a bit excited.

I'd say. .. I have only used three in as many years,... a pool table light and two fans

 

[infinity]

I know you could do it in some code cycles - but at least for the 08 cycle (314.27(D) - the box has to be rated and listed for fan use. You still can do light fixtures in the way you describe - I will often use long 1/4-20 hanger bolts through to framing and 4S and 3/0 ring. On a few occasions strut and 3/8" bolts.

Where are you seeing that the requirement for fan boxes changed with the 2008? I see no change in that section from the 2005 NEC.

 

[jimport]

I remember something being said about boxes during the code update for the 08. Maybe it was that regardless of fan or not it had to be fan rated. I would need to check my notes.

 

[George Stolz]

I've used this box,.. works great if original is mounted to side of joist

Jeez, I wish this discussion had taken place two weeks ago! I would have grabbed a couple...

 

[M. D.]

Where are you seeing that the requirement for fan boxes changed with the 2008? I see no change in that section from the 2005 NEC.

there was an article that may have caused some confusion .

 

[infinity]

there was an article that may have caused some confusion .

I must be having a bad day because my 2008 NECH has no new added sentence to 314.27(D) as suggested by the link that you posted.

The 2008 version is unchanged from the 2005.

 

[M. D.]

I must be having a bad day because my 2008 NECH has no new added sentence to 314.27(D) as suggested by the link that you posted.

The 2008 version is unchanged from the 2005.

Not a bad day,.. it got dropped in the comment phase you can find one of the objections here, you will want to make the print larger post #39 .




http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=90710&highlight=314.27(d)&page=4

 

[M. D.]

There was a warning issued at the beginning of the IAEI article

Once again, it is important to stress that this is a look at what was proposed and acted on by the code-making panels through the proposals stages of the NEC-2008 development process. These changes could be affected by public comments to the initial committee actions on these proposed revisions.

and so this change was affected,. hence the confusion to which I alluded

 

[infinity]

There was a warning issued at the beginning of the IAEI article



and so this change was affected,. hence the confusion to which I alluded

That's what I figured.

So back to the original question, it is still permissible to support a fan independently of a regular old box. The box is not required to be rated for fan support unles it actually is supporting the fan.

 

[M. D.]

from the roc pasted/posted in the thread link,.This is how I understand the issue of fan support

In addition, fan boxes are not and never have been the only acceptable method
of hanging a paddle fan. They are only required when the box is the sole
support of the fan. One major paddle fan manufacturer is now producing an
enormous volume of paddle fans (sold through major home supply channels)
that come complete with installation directions that do not recognize fan box
support, and that instead call for direct support of the fan bracket using long
screws that extend through the standard mounting hole pattern of steel boxes
and into framing above the box.