Residential ceiling fans

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rosebud

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Mike, I have maintanted for a long time now that the NEC requires a ceiling fan installation to include a ceiling fan rate j-box and a line switch. i.e. wall switch. We are seeing a lot of installations where the installer is hot wiring the fan to the nearest j-jox and using the remote control for the fan as the means of disconnecting the power to the fan. because this does not disconnect the power to the j-box or the fan receiver I feel this is a NEC violation. Am I correct?
 
First off Mike doesn't post here very often so I hope you are OK with me taking a stab at your question.

A ceiling fan is required to have a disconnecting means as specified in Part III of Article 422.

Also 422.18 requires that a ceiling suspended paddle fan be supported independant of the outlet box or be supported by a listed outlet box in accordance with 314.27(D)

Hope this helps,

Chris
 
You are basically correct. See Article 210.70(2) exception:
"Exception to (A)(2)(a), (A)(2)(b), and (A)(2)(c): In hallways, stairways, and at outdoor entrances, remote, central, or automatic control of lighting shall be permitted."
These are the only places that can be completely controlled solely by remote control, if desired.
All other lighting outlets need to have a wall switch or have an occupancy sensor with an override at the normal switch location.
 
raider1 said:
A ceiling fan is required to have a disconnecting means as specified in Part III of Article 422.
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Raider, please correct me if I am wrong, since I don't have my code book, but isn't the breaker to be allowed to serve as the disconnecting means as long as it is rated to do so?
 
kkwong said:
Raider, please correct me if I am wrong, since I don't have my code book, but isn't the breaker to be allowed to serve as the disconnecting means as long as it is rated to do so?
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That depends on whether or not the fan is rated at not over 1/8 HP.

422.31(A) allows the branch circuit overcurrent device to serve as a disconnecting means if the horsewpower rating does not exceed 1/8 HP.

422.32 requires that a switch or circuit breaker that serves as the disconnecting means for a motor driven appliance over 1/8 horsepower, to be located within sight of the appliance, unless there is a unit switch on the appliance that meets the requirements of 422.34.

Typically I have never seen a paddle fan that comes with a unit switch with a marked off position. They normally have a pull chain switch on the fan.

earshavewalls said:
You are basically correct. See Article 210.70(2) exception:
"Exception to (A)(2)(a), (A)(2)(b), and (A)(2)(c): In hallways, stairways, and at outdoor entrances, remote, central, or automatic control of lighting shall be permitted."
These are the only places that can be completely controlled solely by remote control, if desired.
All other lighting outlets need to have a wall switch or have an occupancy sensor with an override at the normal switch location.
Click to expand...

A paddle fan may or may not have a light kit installed. The OP never indicated that the fan had a light kit so 210.70 would not apply to the fan portion of a fan light combo.

Article 422 would apply to the fan as it is a motor driven appliance, not a luminaire.

Chris
 
Ceiling fan switch requirement

Ceiling fan switch requirement

Yes most ceiling fan we see in the field do have a light kit. I am aware of the fan box requirement and state this as a NEC requirement to the H/O. Because so many H/O's are installing fans where there use to be a light fixture thie lack of fan box is a problem. the more important question for me is the requirement for a wall switch located in the room. We see many H/O's installing the ceiling fans that are completely remote i.e. no chains. 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. 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.
 
rosebud said:
I am aware of the fan box requirement and state this as a NEC requirement to the H/O. Because so many H/O's are installing fans where there use to be a light fixture thie lack of fan box is a problem.
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I am confused, what are you telling HOs is a NEC requirement?
 
2008 , I don't think this is good code ,..but it will be regardless
And it does not matter the type of occupancy.

fig5.gif
 
M. D. said:
2008 , I don't think this is good code ,..but it will be regardless
And it does not matter the type of occupancy.
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Wow... am I reading this right??? There must be at least a 12/3 or 14/3 and two switches to any potential fan location?
 
No, it is "if" there are 2 or more switched conductors. But I still don't like it much as it is too proactive for my taste

NEC-2008 Analysis of Changes (Part 1)
by Michael J. Johnston
A new last sentence adds specific requirements regarding the type of box that must be installed when two or more switched ungrounded conductors (switch legs) are roughed in to the box. The new requirement calls for a box that is listed for sole support of a ceiling-suspended paddle fan. This requirement applies to all occupancy types as it is currently worded. This affects the rough-in stages of all electrical installations where ceiling-mounted outlet boxes are installed and more than one switch leg is provided to the outlet.
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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.
 
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.
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How do you get the fan not to wobble when it's only interface is through the short screws on the box?
 
tallguy said:
How do you get the fan not to wobble when it's only interface is through the short screws on the box?
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I use 3" screws that go through the bracket and outside the box into the wood that I put above the octagon. I don't support the fan from the box. It is independently supported.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I use 3" screws that go through the bracket and outside the box into the wood that I put above the octagon. I don't support the fan from the box. It is independently supported.
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Ah... now I get it. Of course that is legal as 314.27(D) only refers to boxes which are used for "sole support" of a fan.
 
Jomaul said:
Hey Dennis, don't you worry about a ho hanging there own fan and mounting it directly to the box?
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Not really, I always seem to install the fans and quite frankly I think the issue of a fan rated box is a bit much. Heck, I was at a house 2 months ago where the HO hung the fan on a pop in box. It was there for years til it finally worked it way through the sheetrock.

I have seen many fans funstion just fine attached to nail on plastic boxes.

Don't get me wrong-- I don't do it or encourage it but I guess I feel that the octagon would probably hold up just fine with the 8/32 srews.

It is a good thought though--- I may start using the fan rated box. It may eliminate issues later.
 
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