Hi, I am planning to install a ceiling fan in one of the rooms. I am not sure if the current outlet box can be used for the fan. The house was built in 1998. After getting in the attic and see through the light fixture, I believe the outlet box I have is the carlon 4” picture as below. The outlet box is nailed into a wood piece that secured between 2 frame structure. The fan I am going to install is a 44” fan weighs 17 lbs. thanks!

 

Regardless of the information you have.... I do not consider that a fan duty box.
I would highly recommend a smart box. It's a heavy duty box that will directly replace what you have. It's available at the home improvement stores.

 

But why there are 3 wires going into the box? Just trying to understand it so I can wire the fan correctly

 

You'll need to access the box to see how the wires are run/connected. Is it now a simple light fixture? Does it have two switches (3 way circuit)?

Important question: Are you comfortable working around the electrical system? I only ask because you are addressing some pretty basic questions.

 

Power in, Switch leg, Power out??
Power in, 2 Switch legs (3-way switching)??

Like the_tow_guy pointed out, need to know the wiring inside that junction box. A picture is worth 1000 ... and all that.

 

Pull the wiring out of the box without disconnecting anything and post a picture for us.
If the fan is still attached.... when you remove it.... either take a picture of the wiring with canopy lowered or be sure to write down the connections. Only open the splices that the fan is connected to.

 

I would take it one step further than Pete did, I'm pretty sure those nail on boxes are NOT fan rated. I believe the descriptions on websites are incorrect as the box itself isn't engraved with a fan rating. Plus, I would never trust a simply nailed in box to not loosen over time with the motion of a fan.

Also, unless you are just curious what's wired where, you don't need to figure out what cable goes where. Simply mark the cables 1, 2, 3 and make notes or a pic of what connects to what. Put in a new box and connect everything back exactly as it was before.

Of course, it's always educational to figure out what's going on... but it's not necessary.

 

I think based on his OP, that it does not currently HAVE a fan and is a simple ceiling light fixture. He says "install" a ceiling fan rather than "replace".

 

Thanks for the replies. I bought a ceiling fan box ready to install. And here is a couple pics of the inside of the box. Sorry it if it is not clear on how the wires are connected. I don’t have that much experience on electricity. I ask as the videos I watched on YouTube they almost all have 1 or 2 wire going into a box.

 

That spreader box you choose will work but it will be tight. Your current box is directly nailed on the joist. The new box cannot go directly against the joist based on the bracket. You'll need to trim the sheetrock slightly. Your fan canopy should still cover ok.


You have three total cables.
All three black wires are connected together and capped.
All three white wires are connected together and capped.
All ground wires are connected together.
The red wire is the switched hot from the switch.
Therefore your light (fan) is connected black to red wire, white to white wires.


If your fan comes with a blue, black and white wire then the blue and black go to red and the white goes to the whites. This depends on the wiring your fan uses.

 

Thanks! For the new electric box. How many holes I will need to knock out, it only come with one plastic connector as show in the photo. Do I need to get another one or 2 connector as there are 3 wires? Or the all 3 can be pulled into one hole?

 

You need two knockouts. One for the 2) two wire cables and one for the three wire cable.
You can use two of those plastic type connectors.

 

Thanks for everyone’s help. The fan is hang. I had to get in attic a few times to align the box with the spreader and cut a little Sheetrock away from the wood to make access. I knock out 3 holes on the outlet box as the connector is too tight for 2 wires. I took photo before removing the old light and the fan wires are connected the same way as old light fixture wire.

 

Good job. Thanks for letting us know how you made out.