8 b boxes

[John Fimbianti]

can you use an 8B boxes for a ceiling Fan?

or does it have to be a 1900 with a square to round ring ?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

can you use an 8B boxes for a ceiling Fan?

or does it have to be a 1900 with a square to round ring ?

It all depends on how you support the fan. I usually have a block of 2x4 or 2x6 behind an octagon. I use 3" wood screws to support the fan indepently of the box.

What is a 8B box? I know the other is a 4" sq. with ring.

 

[480sparky]

Either one, as long as it complies with 314.27(D).

Boxes at Ceiling-Suspended (Paddle) Fan Outlets. Outlet boxes or outlet box systems used as the sole support of a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan shall be listed, shall be marked by their manufacturer as suitable for this purpose, and shall not support ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans that weigh more than 32 kg (70 lb). For outlet boxes or outlet box systems designed to support ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans that weigh more than 16 kg (35 lb), the required marking shall include the maximum weight to be supported.

Dennis: This

is an 8b box.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Thanks Ken--

 

[LarryFine]

or does it have to be a 1900 with a square to round ring ?

I wouldn't trust the 8-32 cover screws to support the fan. You need a fan-rated box (and use the hardware that comes with it), not just any metal octagon (8b) box, if the box is supporting the weight.

 

[glene77is]

Larry,

I agree with you
"I wouldn't trust the 8-32 cover screws to support the fan. You need a fan-rated box (and use the hardware that comes with it), not just any metal octagon (8b) box, if the box is supporting the weight."

A few years ago, I got a call from a customer, at 1:00AM, who was still in his bed, staring up at his ceiling fan! The Fan had worked loose from the box, and was hanging from the wires.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

You have to use a fan rated box or you can independently support the fan as I do. I have gone to a house where the fan was hanging by the wires. It was a 36 inch fairly light fan and had been installed with a pop in box. Interestingly, the screws never gave ou but the box support worked thru the sheetrock. It was up there for years. Go figure......