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Will this ceiling electrical box support a fan?

3 years ago

This electrical box is in my dining room ceiling. I'd like to replace the former chandelier with a fan. Will this electrical box support a fan? Most fan electrical boxes I've seen have a brace (example).

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HU-178658043

3 years ago

Are you positive that it's mounted directly to a joist? That center device looks like an attachment lug to an old style steel brace that spans between to joists, and definitely not for a fan.

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Comments (8)

PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
Yes, probably.
kudzu9
3 years ago
1. If it's only the one screw holding it in place, I'd check the box to make sure it was firmly seated against the joist and wouldn't wobble.

2. I don't think the box complies with code as is: the front of it seems to be located about at the back side of the drywall. Code requires a box extender if there is more than 1/4" between where the front of the box is set and the face of the wall.
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patty cakes Home Depot sells a junction box designed for ceiling fans. It has a metal L bracket that is riveted into thew top of the box and has 4 to 5 holes to screw the box to the side of the ceiling joists. The L bracket also has spikes that dig into the wood to provide extra strength. I would recommend using these boxes for ceiling fans or moderately heavy fixtures. Most fans weigh close to or more than 25 pounds. However, when they spin they put a lot more stress on the box holding it than the dead weight of the fixture. Regular j boxes for light weight ceiling fixtures have 2 nails holding them into the side of the joists - and these nails stick into the joist by maybe 1 inch or so. It is dangerous to hang a heavy fixture - or fan - on one of these boxes with just 2 nails holding them in place.. For heavy ceiling fixtures, they also make a special box that has 2 bolts the attach from the bottom of the box up into the joists. This type of box should be used for fixtures that weigh up to 80 pounds. They make other boxes with brackets that bolt between joists four very heavy chandeliers that weigh more than 80 pounds if you have any of these. iIt is true that electricians will typically install standard j boxes unless you spec otherwise. I would make sure that your electrician uses the proper rated box for the weight loads you are planning. The special boxes are inexpensive and worth the peace of mind that the fixtures won't fall out of the ceiling.
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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.
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mtvhike
3 years ago
It looks like I can see the joist behind the box on the right. If it is, and it extends to the left also, I would drill holes through the back and put in two more screws. It also depends somewhat on the size of the fan, but I think that would work. Regarding the recessed box, you can get a box extender of the right thickness.
Ron Natalie
3 years ago
If the box isnt marked for supporting a fan, it isn't legal to support a fan. The fact that it's screwed into a joist is only half the issue. The box itself has to have mounting points that are strong enough to take the 35+ lbs of the fan.
wdccruise thanked Ron Natalie
wdccruise
Original Author
3 years ago
"If the box isnt marked for supporting a fan, it isn't legal to support a fan."

"Are you positive that it's mounted directly to a joist?"

No, further examination shows that the electrical box is attached to something metal, perhaps a brace as you suggest. I'm going to remove the box and look inside the ceiling. If the brace is installed properly, I understand from a Q&A posted elsewhere that I can get a fan-compliant box and attach it to the existing brace (properly, not just with a big lug like the current box).

The fan I'm considering weighs 17 lbs.
HU-178658043
3 years ago
That type of brace is not fan rated. You can get fan rated retrofit braces though that existing brace will be in the way.
wdccruise
Original Author
3 years ago
With difficulty because it was nailed to the joists, I removed the old brace and box and installed a fan-capable replacement.

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