ceiling-fanlight-fixturemounting
As Montreal is going to welcome the humid summer, I am planning to install a ceiling fan by removing the ceiling light. I have selected the fan that I want from Amazon. Here are the photos of the ceiling light fixture and its mounting box. But I am not sure if it needs a fan mounting box ? or will this ceiling light mount box can be used for the fan too ?
This is the fan that I am planning to buy.
Here is how my mount looks:
Electrical boxes serve several functions. They protect wiring where insulation has been removed. They prevent inadvertent contact with exposed components. They contain sparks when the worst occurs. And they provide standard mounting points for fixtures.
I'd be inclined to "code things up" with a wraparound box like so:
Nonmetallic ceiling joist box for ceiling fans. 4'' diameter x 2 1/8'' deep, 12.0 cu. in. 4 clamps, 2 1/2'' knockouts. Maximum fixture weight is 150 lb., maximum fan weight is 70 lb. Exceeds National Electrical code requirements. Recommended for earthquake areas.
I would consider getting a metal plate adapter similar to this:
You can mount this to the screw holes in the ceiling electrical box. Then in turn you can mount the fan hanger bracket in the correct orientation. As shown you can see there are plenty of options to adjust the positions of everything including the possibility to install captive bolts and nuts to which you could attach the fan bracket.
Edit: There are various places to acquire plates like this. Google search for "ceiling fixture adapter plate" and you may locate a source such as here:
Best Answer
Maybe.
If the box has a bracket that securely attaches it to a framing member, then the box can support a ceiling fan up to 35 lbs. If the box is not securely attached to a framing member, it cannot support a ceiling fan. According to NEC, ceiling boxes are supposed to be installed so that they can support a 50 lbs fixture (that's a light fixture, not a ceiling fan). However, this is not always the case, especially where the boxes are installed by those unaware of the code requirements, or before it was a requirement.
If the box is designed for supporting a ceiling fan, it will be marked with the amount of weight it can support, up to 70 lbs. A ceiling fan weighing more than 70 lbs., has to be supported by other means.