Residential ceiling fans

Status
Not open for further replies.
Dennis Alwon said:
It is a good thought though--- I may start using the fan rated box. It may eliminate issues later.
Click to expand...

And give up all those service calls? :grin:

BTW... love the new avatar...
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I rarely use a fan rated box. I always brace the standard octagon with a 2x6 flat across the joist and then screw the bracket into the wood. Surely you don't mean to suggest that is not legal.
Click to expand...

It is legal now but it won't be. this requirement will pertain to the type of box that is installed.
 
Ceiling fan switch requirement

Ceiling fan switch requirement

Yes that is correct I am telling H/O's (home owners) that a Fan Box is a NEC requirement. We find that many home owners will remove a ceiling light fixture and install a ceiling fan w/ light kit in it place. We have seen many cases were the ceiling fan has pulled the origninal j-box and wiring out of the ceiling. This coupled with the fact that many H/O's are installing the newer remote control fan with out a "line switch" i.e. they will wire them hot to the nearest source of power is a real problem that we are seeing in the many homes that we go into. As an added note we see this happen in homes that were recently sold as an incentive up grade to potential buyers.
 
rosebud said:
The installer (often the H/O or a handyman) with hot wire the fan to any j-box they can find including the fire/smoke detector circuit. This is what I mantain is improper.
Click to expand...
Wiring a CF to a smoke circuit as a violation....do you have an NEC article in mind?

rosebud said:
I am site the job as improperly installed due to the lack of the wall (line) switch in the room. Thank you to all who respond to this thread.
Click to expand...
Why did the room have no switch in the first place?
Wouldn't there be, at a minimum, a switched outlet?

If these installations are in NJ, it would not even raise an eyebrow with our very handy Rehab Code.

rosebud said:
Yes that is correct I am telling H/O's (home owners) that a Fan Box is a NEC requirement.
Click to expand...
A fan box is NOT a requirement - independant support is a requirement:
314.27(D) Boxes at Ceiling-Suspended (Paddle) Fan Outlets.
Where a box is used as the sole support of a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan, the box shall be listed for the application and for the weight of the fan to be supported. The installation shall comply with 422.18.
Click to expand...
As discussed previously, there are OTHER methods than just using a "rated" box - thru bolting.


rosebud said:
We find that many home owners will remove a ceiling light fixture and install a ceiling fan w/ light kit in it place. We have seen many cases were the ceiling fan has pulled the origninal j-box and wiring out of the ceiling. This coupled with the fact that many H/O's are installing the newer remote control fan with out a "line switch" i.e. they will wire them hot to the nearest source of power is a real problem that we are seeing in the many homes that we go into. As an added note we see this happen in homes that were recently sold as an incentive up grade to potential buyers.
Click to expand...
What is your role in all this?
 
I just use a pancake box. I leave a loop of the 14/3 above the ceiling so I can pull it down after the drywallers chew up the end. Then I screw the fan bracket right through the pancake into the 2by with 3" screws.

As for worrying about what the HO does if they mount a fan themselves, oh well, I'm not getting paid to hold their hand if it falls down. They should either read the instructions or call me.
 
M. D. said:
Stretching the truth more like it,.... 314.27(d) if I can give an article number isn't it a code article???:D
Click to expand...
Only if it applies w/o "exception" ;)
314.27 (D) Boxes at Ceiling-Suspended (Paddle) Fan Outlets.

Where a box is used as the sole support of a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan, the box shall be listed for the application and for the weight of the fan to be supported. The installation shall comply with 422.18.
Click to expand...
If the box is NOT being used as the sole support...."a Fan Box is a NEC requirement" becomes void - just use a lag bolt :) There's the "exception".
 
Celtic ,I should have said NEC 2008, in 08 if there are 2 or more switched conductors the box will have to be listed for the sole support of a paddle fan even if there is no fan .
 
M. D. said:
.... the box will have to be listed for the sole support of a paddle fan even if there is no fan .
Click to expand...

I read that...all I could think was:
If a tree falls and no one is there...


...that's not entirely true...I also thought something about a bear and a rabbit :D
 
celtic said:
Why did the room have no switch in the first place?
Wouldn't there be, at a minimum, a switched outlet?

If these installations are in NJ, it would not even raise an eyebrow with our very handy Rehab Code.
Click to expand...
That's just what I was thinking. Irrespective of proper support, how do you tell a homeowner, who lives in a house where there is K & T with plaster and wood lath construction, you need chop through the ceiling and down the wall in order to have a switched disconnect means or else they can't mount a paddle fan ? The Rehab Code comes in handy for things like this.
 
goldstar said:
That's just what I was thinking. Irrespective of proper support, how do you tell a homeowner, who lives in a house where there is K & T with plaster and wood lath construction, you need chop through the ceiling and down the wall in order to have a switched disconnect means or else they can't mount a paddle fan ?
Click to expand...

Apparently you don't need to, at least according to Charlie (I don't have access to the new code myself, so I'm taking his word for it).... see post #13
 
tallguy said:
Apparently you don't need to, at least according to Charlie (I don't have access to the new code myself, so I'm taking his word for it).... see post #13
Click to expand...

From a Mike Holt Newsletter dated June 6 2007


I would like some imput regarding the wiring of ceiling fans. This is not regarding the installion of the correct fan j-box but rather a wall switch. We have seen many ceiling fans installed "Hot", no wall switch is installed. I believe that this is a NEC violation. am I correct?
John July 6 2007, 7:52 pm EDT
Reply from: Mike Holt
Nope.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top