Can a ceiling fan box (with fan installed, of course) be used as a junction box
#1
10-09-13, 09:06 AM
Can a ceiling fan box (with fan installed, of course) be used as a junction box
for another circuit?
I am re-wiring a room and I have two BX cables form another room that were joined together in a box that was used for lighting in the re-wired room. Re-wiring the two cables (to the other room) is out of the question.
Thanks.
I am re-wiring a room and I have two BX cables form another room that were joined together in a box that was used for lighting in the re-wired room. Re-wiring the two cables (to the other room) is out of the question.
Thanks.
#2
10-09-13, 09:14 AM
It is allowed if box capcity is large enough.
tsunclebill
The number of wires allowed in a box is determined by the size of the box and the size of the wire. Plastic boxes are marked with the maximum number of each size wire. Metal and other material boxs fill is based on the box size in cubic inches and the required space for each conductor size.
#14 wire require 2 cubic inches each. All the grounds together count as 1 wire. In your case, 6 cables with 2 wires each plus a ground requires a box that is big enough for 13 #14 wires. This winds up being a 4 X 4 X 2-1/8 (or deeper) metal box, or a plastic box rated for 13 or more #14 wires.
Generally, the number of connections in a box doesn't matter as the required space in a box for a given size wire takes connections into account. [...]
Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...#ixzz2hF5Qw6Cv
The number of wires allowed in a box is determined by the size of the box and the size of the wire. Plastic boxes are marked with the maximum number of each size wire. Metal and other material boxs fill is based on the box size in cubic inches and the required space for each conductor size.
#14 wire require 2 cubic inches each. All the grounds together count as 1 wire. In your case, 6 cables with 2 wires each plus a ground requires a box that is big enough for 13 #14 wires. This winds up being a 4 X 4 X 2-1/8 (or deeper) metal box, or a plastic box rated for 13 or more #14 wires.
Generally, the number of connections in a box doesn't matter as the required space in a box for a given size wire takes connections into account. [...]
Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...#ixzz2hF5Qw6Cv
#3
10-09-13, 11:02 AM
And I assume combining BX and Romex in the same box is OK, right? As long as I use the correct connectors of course.
#4
10-09-13, 11:20 AM
And I assume combining BX and Romex in the same box is OK, right? As long as I use the correct connectors of course.
#9
10-09-13, 02:34 PM
Yes, a regular junction or octagon box has the light affixed to bent over ears tapped with 6 or 8-32 screws. Attaching a ceiling fan to a box will require the box to have an additional "through" attachment point. As you can see on both boxes the ears are not the attachment point, but there are provided nuts or and through bolts or screw acceptors to hold the brace, and they take 10-24 screws (larger)
Last edited by ray2047; 10-09-13 at 02:36 PM. Reason: Change 24 to 32
#10
10-09-13, 04:28 PM
Right. The old setup was a very old box with a light fixture. I need to get rid of this box and put a bigger box that is also rated for a ceiling fan. By all means I did not intend to use the light box for the ceiling fan. Reason I asked is that the two BX cables need to be in a box somewhere, they will reach the new box (where the old one was) and I wasn't sure if the ceiling fan box can be used also as a junction box for the old BX cables (in addition to the new single Romex for the fan). Hope it's clear and makes sense.
#11
10-09-13, 05:52 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
As Ray said, as long as the fan box has spare cubic inch capacity and is fan rated you are fine. IMO I would try to keep the other circuits out of the fan box if practical for troubleshooting reasons.
#12
10-10-13, 09:09 AM
This would be ideal of course, but the only problem is that in order to do that I need to keep an opening in the drywall for the that junction box.
#15
10-22-13, 01:48 PM
There is attic, but with no access to this room from above.
If so, you can mount a new box there to use to splice the two BX cables together. If not, you should be able to install a fan-rated box that's deep enough to provide room for the extra conductors and splices.
To answer your original question, yes, you can use a box that a ceiling fan is mounted on to splice a different circuit through, so long as it's big enough.
Originally Posted by pcboss
As Ray said, as long as the fan box has spare cubic inch capacity and is fan rated you are fine.
#16
10-23-13, 06:54 AM
Can you go into your attic and put your hand on the old fixture box that you want to replace?
In any case, I did gut the entire room that I am working on, took out all the old plaster and lath and insulation in the ceiling, so everything is exposed. Part of the reason was to replace the old pull-chain light with a ceiling fan and a normal, modern switch light. That's why I asked if I can use the ceiling fan box to 'host' this other BX cable.
And yes, I did get the deeper ceiling fan box, I believe it's 18 cu. inch or something in that area.
#17
10-23-13, 08:19 AM
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If everything is down and exposed, why not go the extra expense and run new wires so there is no need for a junction box? (granted, I'm making huge assumptions on the length of cables required, etc.)
#18
10-23-13, 09:02 AM
Because these two wires are coming from/going to the adjacent room, I don't know if they are stapled to the floor joists or how they run, and frankly I don't even know where they are going (I just assume based on their direction). And there is no way I rip the wall/ceiling out and mess with this disgusting insulation in the 2nd room 
