How can I tell if my old box is fan rated?
If an outlet box is ceiling fan rated it will be marked so on the box. If your outlet box came with the fan it is definitely ceiling fan rated. If the outlet box was there before you bought the fan, you will have to look at your fan box to see if it is ceiling fan rated or not.
Can my outlet box support a fan?
Support Requirements The National Electric Code requires that all fans 35 pounds and over must be supported with an outlet box or outlet box system that is listed for ceiling fan support. The manufacturer must have marked the outlet box system to indicate that it is acceptable for ceiling fan installations.
Do ceiling fans need a special box?
Most building codes require ceiling fans to be mounted on special fan-rated boxes, which are made of metal or strong plastic and have deep-threaded holes for the mounting screws. The box must be mounted firmly, either by attaching it directly to a framing member or by using a fan-rated brace.
What is a fan rated box?
A ceiling fan rated electrical box is used to house electrical wire connections and properly support heavy fixtures such as your Hunter Fan.
Where are fan rated boxes required?
But a fan-rated box would be required at a luminaire location if a 3-wire cable was run, and two separate switches are installed to control the “hot” conductors — one conductor being connected to the luminaire and the other one capped off as a spare for future use on the fan, which might never be installed.
Can a plastic electrical box support a ceiling fan?
Electricians use both metal and plastic boxes, and the latter are preferred in some cases because they are inexpensive, easy to use and naturally insulated. They aren’t made for supporting much weight, however, and shouldn’t be used to support a ceiling fan.
Can a plastic electrical box hold a ceiling fan?
What kind of electrical box do I need for a ceiling fan?
Ceiling fan boxes must be UL-listed for ceiling fan mounting and marked “For Use With Ceiling Fans.” Do not use standard round or octagonal boxes for installing ceiling fans. Ceiling fan boxes require special fastening to withstand the dynamic loading of a rotating fan.
Where are fan-rated boxes required?
Can I mount ceiling fan on to plastic box?
Nor is the plastic rough-in box holding a moderately heavy fixture suitable for a ceiling fan. The problem with plastic boxes is that they can crack when subjected to the intense vibrations from a fan. A cracked box could eventually break and the fan could fall, creating a catastrophe.
How much weight can a plastic electrical box hold?
Conventional metal or plastic rough-in boxes aren’t supposed to hold any more than 50 pounds, and most fans exert more force than that.