Ok, I want to install a new ceiling fan and light over our breakfast table. This is what we have there under the Sheetrock:

(We snuck in and photographed everything before they closed the walls up).

 

Will this light box handle it?

 

I thought we spec'ed a ceiling fan box at this location but it does not look the same as the rest of them and I am dubious about its ability to hold a fan.

 

If that box won't handle it, what are my options (excluding ripping through the Sheetrock)?

That box is not a fan rated box, you will have to install a fan brace bar box that has to be installed after the fact. It's easy to do. The box basically gets hand tightned and the two ends of the bar get tight up against the beams.

Something like this is what you want.

 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Raco-RETRO-BRACE-with-2-1-8-in-Deep-Ceiling-Box-937/203743172?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD27E%7cElectrical&gclid=CIjRi_rj08MCFYklgQodPJgA7g&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Need to balance the weight out so it doesn't wobble.

Something like this is what you want.

 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Raco-RETRO-BRACE-with-2-1-8-in-Deep-Ceiling-Box-937/203743172?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD27E%7cElectrical&gclid=CIjRi_rj08MCFYklgQodPJgA7g&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Need to balance the weight out so it doesn't wobble.

 

 

This.  You need a brace with built in box that says "old work" or "renovation" or the like.  

Something like this is what you want.

 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Raco-RETRO-BRACE-with-2-1-8-in-Deep-Ceiling-Box-937/203743172?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD27E%7cElectrical&gclid=CIjRi_rj08MCFYklgQodPJgA7g&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Need to balance the weight out so it doesn't wobble.

 

 

Exactly. that box is correct.

 

 

Only use the existing box if you hate those who are eating at that table. As there is a good chance it will decapitate them at some point.

just keep in mind your joist isnt a solid 2x and the vertical web is recessed vs the bottem  wood rail.  you may need to shim the middle web of the joist so its flush with the bottem/wider part, depending on what bracket/box combo you use.. I'd use glue for the shims being you cant access to nail but thats just me. also keep in mind if you move the box the wiring may be short ...

When installing these fan boxes, DO NOT go nuts snuging them up. They can shift your joists causing sheetrock cracks and nail/screw head pops.

When installing these fan boxes, DO NOT go nuts snuging them up. They can shift your joists causing sheetrock cracks and nail/screw head pops.

This is good advice.

 

Fan bar, or don't even think about it

Ok, I want to install a new ceiling fan and light over our breakfast table. This is what we have there under the Sheetrock:

(We snuck in and photographed everything before they closed the walls up).

 

Will this light box handle it?

 

I thought we spec'ed a ceiling fan box at this location but it does not look the same as the rest of them and I am dubious about its ability to hold a fan.

 

If that box won't handle it, what are my options (excluding ripping through the Sheetrock)?

 

Dunno - that box looks a hell of a lot like this:

 

http://www.cesco.com/b2c/product/Pass-Seymour-S1-20-JFAN-Slater-Round-Ceiling-Fan/367679

 

Which clearly is Fan Rated.

Must be why my mom's fan has had a very slight wobble for the last 20 years.

That is a fan rated box. It will also hold a chandelier. You would be surprised just how strong that box is. Think of it as the Glock of electrical boxes.

 

Grab a hold of it and yank at it to convince yourself. Just make sure not to grab any exposed copper wire.

I'm an electrician, that is a fan box, wouldn't be my first choice but it will do the job fine.

Fan box, you can probably confirm by looking at the threaded section where the screws for the fan go in. If they are threaded all the way up , or a good portion, it's a fan box.

 

Non fan rated boxed typically only have 1/4 -3/4 of threaded section

read that tag inside it.  It looks like the new style 50lb box to me.  The tag should have weight rating info on it.

Ken

Install it like this and you'll be fine:

 

 

Seriously, although it is a fan box I'd replace with the braced box - it's not hard to do (old work)

Ok, here's the label in the box. What say the collective:

That box is fine if it is installed correctly.  (Residential Contractor for 27 years).

 

What really stresses boxes and can cause them them to loosen or crack the sheetrock around them is unbalanced fans.  A good fan kit will come w. weighted balancing clips or shims.  Use them if needed.