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Will this electrical box support a ceiling fan?

6 years ago

I want to replace my light fixture and need help determining if this electrical box will support a ceiling fan. It appears it could but I want to be sure. The metal box is painted so there isn't anything visible stating that it is a fan rated outlet box. There's also an unused red wire which makes me think it is.

My condo was built in 2007. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Featured Answer

bossyvossy

6 years ago

Can you tell if box attached to a beam? Really need to know the answer. If answer is yes, then OK to install fan.

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Comments (10)

Brian Don
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
here's what I see in the attic. Not sure if this is the light fixture or my recessed lighting though. Or both.
0
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The problem is not the box but how it is mounted. Looking at HD, that box is only rated for a 35lb fan. You need something stronger. There are a couple of ways to do this, depending on whether your ceiling is open to the joists, or accessible from above, or not. If open, you can use a 2x4 nailed in between the joists. The box then will be attached to the underside, so leave enough clearance for the box and sheetrock. If closed, then there is a device out there that I've used several times. It is a steel rod-like thing that expands. The ends have spikes that, when expanded, drive into the joists to hold it. It screws together and fits up into the ceiling through the hole for the box. Once up there, you 'unscrew' it which lengthens it until it firmly grips the joists. You then attach a metal box to it with the hardware provided (U-clamp and aircraft nuts). Here is a link that might be useful: HD westinghouse fan box
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bossyvossy
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Not a good picture but it looks like box is attached to a piece of mdf that has been bridged between two wood rafters. wouldn’t think very sturdy. The material on which the fixture sits doesn’t look like the wood on the right side of your pics.
Brian Don
Original Author
6 years ago
alright thanks. i'm just going to leave my light fixture and not take a chance.
0
Margaret Zukowska
6 years ago
Too early plaster, electrical boxes put a thicker layer of plaster - because the box heats up and then you can see exactly where it is.
Steve J
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Brian, your first set of pics show the electrical box, and I dont see anything that shows it being attached to studs, but obviously we dont have a good view of it. Your second set of pics show a standard recessed lighting fixture with the electrcal box being off to one side. They are not the same thing as the electrical box in the first set of pictures. Keep looking. You’re looking for a small octagonal box that sticks out about an inch or two.
bossyvossy
6 years ago
Steve is right! Second set of pics belongs to a recessed light. Not the same fixture as the one you posted in original post.
Brian Don
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks everyone for the advice and helpful insight. Much appreciated
0
Ron Natalie
6 years ago
Sorry, unless the box says it can support a fan, IT CAN NOT. It matters not how greatly it is attached to the house structure, that's only half the battle. The box itself has to be rated for the weight.
Steve J
6 years ago
Correct, but to determine both of these, Brian needs to locate the box and take a gander at it. I suspect it’s NOT a fan rated box as most wouldnt install a fan rated box without also installing a fan. And normally you can spot a fan rated box woth the bar that is attached to the beams. But well you know what ASSUME gives you.

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