fan/light/heater combo

[buck33k]

The other day I installed a bathroom fan, light, heater combo in the ceiling of an addition. (Broan 732)
1500 watt heater. 120 watts light plus exhaust fan and night light.
The instructions indicated hot and neutral to the supplied switch, then two three wire cables to the unit.
I went with #12 to maintain less than 80%. Then came the time for splicing and makeup. The unit had a 12 cu. in. box already 60% filled with factory conductors and thermal devices. What a nightmare.
At this time I think it is a case of poor design and wonder how it got a UL listing, but thought I'd see what others thought.
Buck

 

[mdshunk]

Re: fan/light/heater combo

That's kind of an age old problem. You run into the same issue with the peckerhead boxes on motors. Just make your tails short, use the smallest wirenuts that will accomodate the conductors, and pack them back in neatly. It does suck, but what are we to to otherwise? I finished a job once that was ruffed by another contractor. He used a run of 12-4 to a fan-light-night light unit. I didn't know 12-4 existed before I saw that installation. That wouldn't help you, since yours also needed a heat circuit.

 

[jbwhite]

Re: fan/light/heater combo

in my experience, mfgs dont give a darn about what we need to do to install thier products. they are designed to be great looking and inexpensive to build. they use bare minimum space for the installation. think about it. 1 inch less tin x 1,000,000 fixtures times the price of tin = a brand new boat for the CEO, and a bonus for the design engineer.

 

[augie47]

Re: fan/light/heater combo

That's kind of an age old problem.

Is still amazing though. We've seen the NEC change so much over the years in regard to box fill, conductor bending radius, etc. and yet we still have the same h/l/f boxes..you would think UL and NEC would track each other more so..
after 20 years wiremold finally gave us some plugmold products with space...maybe broan will one day.
Their QC and execs should be required to wire the product in the field

 

[buck33k]

Re: fan/light/heater combo

Their QC and execs should be required to wire the product in the field

I'd like to be standing over them with a whip.

think about it. 1 inch less tin x 1,000,000 fixtures times the price of tin = a brand new boat for the CEO, and a bonus for the design engineer.

Well said. It's all about money any more.

It does suck

Absolutely. They're going to hear about it.

Thanks
Buck

[ November 19, 2005, 04:59 PM: Message edited by: buck33k ]

 

[allenwayne]

Re: fan/light/heater combo

MD was that mc or 12-2-2 NM ?

 

[allenwayne]

Re: fan/light/heater combo

While on the subject of cheezy parts for high dollar items.Don`t you just love a standard mushroom type mounting bar that comes with a fixture that cost enough you could get another truck out on the road making money.This has always been a pet peeve with me.Then along comes the homeowner that was asked at rough stage "are you going to be installing a really heavy fixture in that 32 ft foyer???? Oh no I think they are so gawdy.I always explain the fixture you intend to install has different requirements for mounting.
Here comes trim and out comes the foyer fixture from the lighting pack,box as large as a excursion and weighs 1/2 that.The CM loves it when I tell them break out that check book if you want that fixture hung.