Is my electrical box fan rated?
#1
08-23-15, 12:22 PM
Is my electrical box fan rated?
Hello all,
I've done some searching and can't find a definitive answer if my electrical box will support a ceiling fan. It looks like the box was installed before they finished the ceiling so there is plaster covering the inside of the box so I can't see if there are any markings.
There appear to be three screws in the back of it, I can't tell how long they are. I'm also in a condo so I don't have an attic to go into. When I pull down on the box I can hear a popping sound a couple feet away from the box, it feels sturdy, however the box will move a little if I push on the back edges (not where the back screws are at), not sure if that's normal or not.
If different angle pictures would work better please let me know, and thank you in advance for any help or advice!
I've done some searching and can't find a definitive answer if my electrical box will support a ceiling fan. It looks like the box was installed before they finished the ceiling so there is plaster covering the inside of the box so I can't see if there are any markings.
There appear to be three screws in the back of it, I can't tell how long they are. I'm also in a condo so I don't have an attic to go into. When I pull down on the box I can hear a popping sound a couple feet away from the box, it feels sturdy, however the box will move a little if I push on the back edges (not where the back screws are at), not sure if that's normal or not.
If different angle pictures would work better please let me know, and thank you in advance for any help or advice!
Last edited by ozzyblood; 08-23-15 at 02:00 PM.
#2
08-23-15, 12:51 PM
Group Moderator
That box is not a fan rated box. It looks like a standard depth 4" round box and screwed up into a material that can't be seen.
Remove the three screw from the box. See if box can move so you can see inside.
It looks like those are short metal self drilling screws and they may be installed in a metal track or stud.
Remove the three screw from the box. See if box can move so you can see inside.
It looks like those are short metal self drilling screws and they may be installed in a metal track or stud.
#4
08-23-15, 02:05 PM
I took down the electrical box and there was a metal stud/track that you had suspected.
I included a picture of it in the original post.
Can I mount the fan rated electrical box to this metal stud or do I need to get one of those ceiling fan braces that go into the hole and tighten against the studs?
Thanks!
I included a picture of it in the original post.
Can I mount the fan rated electrical box to this metal stud or do I need to get one of those ceiling fan braces that go into the hole and tighten against the studs?
Thanks!
#5
08-23-15, 03:07 PM
Group Moderator
I was afraid that was what you were going to see.
What is above that track......cement ?
I don't think you have wood in there where an expanding bracket box will work.
What is above that track......cement ?
I don't think you have wood in there where an expanding bracket box will work.
#7
08-23-15, 07:42 PM
Is there enough room to get two "square" Ubolts over the rail. If so you could use them to bolt a box to the rail if it is structurally strong enough.
Last edited by ray2047; 08-23-15 at 10:29 PM.
#8
08-23-15, 09:57 PM
Join Date: Mar 2006
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From what I can see it isn't much of a rail, looks more like thin sheet metal strictly for drywall installation. I think you will need to remove that "rail" and then add something into the ceiling concrete. This is definitely a bigger job than you first envisioned. Unless you have a hammer drill you may want to farm out the job.
