Failed Ceiling Fan Box

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The BH525LR shown at lowes.com has double screw bosses on each side of the box, but the picture in the OP appears to only have one on each side. So perhaps the box pictured in the OP isn't actually a BH525LR?

Cheers, Wayne
 
wwhitney said:
The BH525LR shown at lowes.com has double screw bosses on each side of the box, but the picture in the OP appears to only have one on each side. So perhaps the box pictured in the OP isn't actually a BH525LR?

Cheers, Wayne
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If you look closely at the picture, you can see the opening for a second boss near the rim of the box. It looks like the fracture removed all the inner boss and most of the outer boss.
 
The box has a double boss per side. Since this installation is in WI, I wonder if the cold attic temps are a factor even though the box is buried in insulation?
 
gadfly56 said:
If you look closely at the picture, you can see the opening for a second boss near the rim of the box. It looks like the fracture removed all the inner boss and most of the outer boss.
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Thanks, I see now when I zoom in that the apparent hole is not circular, it's more like two circles next to each other, and there is a little bit of plastic left dividing it. How deep is the threadable portion of those plastic bosses on that box? The box is 3" deep, but it appears the missing portion is less than 1" deep.

Cheers, Wayne
 
wwhitney said:
How deep is the threadable portion of those plastic bosses on that box? The box is 3" deep, but it appears the missing portion is less than 1" deep.

Cheers, Wayne
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Folks I stopped and looked at one of those boxes at HD. I don't know how deep the threadable portion of the box is but the give a couple of 8-32 screws with it that are only an inch long.

From what I could see there was no way to use a larger screw.

I don't know how this works out but the installation instuctions for some fans (like hunter) say they are to be mounted with 10-24 or 10-32 screws.

I looked all over and I can't find anywhere they suggest useing 8-32 screws to mount a fan but this is a listed box that comes with 8-32 screws so what can you say.

I don't think I would ever buy one but it's good the OP brought this to our attention. Since they are sold at big box stores I'm sure we will all get to see one sooner or later.
 
growler said:
Folks I stopped and looked at one of those boxes at HD. I don't know how deep the threadable portion of the box is but the give a couple of 8-32 screws with it that are only an inch long.

From what I could see there was no way to use a larger screw.

I don't know how this works out but the installation instuctions for some fans (like hunter) say they are to be mounted with 10-24 or 10-32 screws.

I looked all over and I can't find anywhere they suggest useing 8-32 screws to mount a fan but this is a listed box that comes with 8-32 screws so what can you say.

I don't think I would ever buy one but it's good the OP brought this to our attention. Since they are sold at big box stores I'm sure we will all get to see one sooner or later.
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Which brings us back to my original question......How do these things get UL listings??? I guess UL has got to be considered a false sense of security.
 
A/A Fuel GTX said:
Which brings us back to my original question......How do these things get UL listings??? I guess UL has got to be considered a false sense of security.
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The tricky part is that you have to know which standards were applied in the testing.

IOW, what is it actually listed for.

We see a UL sticker or number and the manufacturer calls it an "X" and can be used as a "Y".

The implication is that the listing and name of the item match and we infer it as such, but the actuall listing number is for an item tested to standards for a "Z".
 
mopowr steve said:
They may-be counterfeit boxes with UL symbol
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Which makes the UL listing even less credible if we don't even know if the product is legit. The NEC uses the term "listed" as gospel. Perhaps UL needs to come up with a way to combat frauds like the US mint did for currency.
 
A/A Fuel GTX said:
Yes, it's a ceiling fan rated plastic box. I installed it about 4 years ago. Was there to install a different fan and discovered this. There was no tell tale symptom until the fan was removed. The opposite end of the box was just fine.
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Box only has a 2 year warranty, pretty flimsy for a part that basically should
last all but forever-nothing to wear out.:(
 
A/A Fuel GTX said:
Which makes the UL listing even less credible if we don't even know if the product is legit. The NEC uses the term "listed" as gospel. Perhaps UL needs to come up with a way to combat frauds like the US mint did for currency.
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UL is not the only NRTL out there.

I think it has also already been mentioned some of those non metallic fan boxes are only listed for a 35 pound fan while other fan boxes may be listed for heavier fans. Many stop reading when they see it is fan rated.
 
A/A Fuel GTX said:
Which makes the UL listing even less credible if we don't even know if the product is legit. The NEC uses the term "listed" as gospel. Perhaps UL needs to come up with a way to combat frauds like the US mint did for currency.
Click to expand...

UL is very proactive in anti-counterfeiting. Many of our marks are holographic with special symbols that can only be viewed with a authenticator. These are provided to borders and customs agents to help verify that products are not counterfeit as they enter the country. In addition we have a Market surveillance team that's goal is to monitor the market and catch counterfeit products.

But even with the best teams sometimes counterfeit product do slip into the Market. UL will send out alerts if we find this has happened.

Chris
 
A/A Fuel GTX said:
Which brings us back to my original question......How do these things get UL listings??? I guess UL has got to be considered a false sense of security.
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The Product in question is Listed for a 35 pound fan ONLY.

UL 514A allows 2 - 8-32 screws OR 2-10-32 screws for support of the fan provided that the screws and the box meet the pull and support tests of the standard.

Also if the box is provided with unthreaded holes the screws that are to be used must be of the thread cutting type.

And Lastly, there could have been a manufacturing defect in the plastic, or as you have pointed out cold environments can have an adverse affect on Plastic. I remember installing plastic boxes in the winter and having the boxes break due to the cold.

Chris
 
kwired said:
UL is not the only NRTL out there.

I think it has also already been mentioned some of those non metallic fan boxes are only listed for a 35 pound fan while other fan boxes may be listed for heavier fans. Many stop reading when they see it is fan rated.
Click to expand...

Correct, UL is not the only NRTL but the Standards that are used to List products are the same whether UL lists the box or ETL lists the box.

Chris
 
Well this thread has been an interesting journey.
I have never known that a plastic box's plastic holes were rated for paddle fans. Live and learn every day.

Personally I would never use them that way but that is me and my level of comfort. .

I apologize to Tom the OP for making fun of this with those animated characters.

Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for your service. :)
 
Sierrasparky said:
Well this thread has been an interesting journey.
I have never known that a plastic box's plastic holes were rated for paddle fans. Live and learn every day.

Personally I would never use them that way but that is me and my level of comfort. .

I apologize to Tom the OP for making fun of this with those animated characters.

Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for your service. :)
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that the box we are discussing is only suitable for supporting a fan with a maximum weight of 35 Pounds. I doubt that you will find a plastic box that is listed to support a fan exceeding 35 pound.

Chris
 
Sierrasparky said:
Well this thread has been an interesting journey.
I have never known that a plastic box's plastic holes were rated for paddle fans. Live and learn every day.

Personally I would never use them that way but that is me and my level of comfort. .

I apologize to Tom the OP for making fun of this with those animated characters.

Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for your service. :)
Click to expand...

No apology needed. I like animated characters. They remind me of people I work with.
 
raider1 said:
Keep in mind that the box we are discussing is only suitable for supporting a fan with a maximum weight of 35 Pounds. I doubt that you will find a plastic box that is listed to support a fan exceeding 35 pound.

Chris
Click to expand...

Aside from the Hunter Original series, I haven't seen a fan weighing more that 35# in a long time. Seems like they are getting lighter as time goes on.
 
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