Pancake Box
The variety of box required for a projection is normally determined by its application. For case, a box that is suitable for mounting ceiling lights might not be ideal for ceiling fan installation because of the additional weight.
In this article, I’ll be focusing on pancake boxes, otherwise referred to every bit pan boxes. I explicate what building codes say well-nigh fan-rated junction boxes, the requirements for a box to be regarded every bit fan-rated, too whether pancake boxes encounter the requirements.
Pancake boxes can be used for ceiling fans, only they must be rated for this function, which way that non all pancake boxes tin live used. This is a dominion set out inward Section 314.27(C) of the NEC.
IRC Requires Junction Boxes
According to Section E3905.ane of the International Residential Code (IRC):
“A box or conduit trunk shall be installed at each conductor splice indicate, outlet, switch point, junction bespeak, as well as force point except every bit otherwise permitted in Sections E3905.1.ane through E3905.ane.half dozen.”
This means that junction boxes are required for ceiling fan installations. There are several reasons why they are of import:
- They furnish an anchoring signal for the fan.
- They enclose the wires to protect them from physical impairment.
- They forbid accidental contact with bare wires.
- They continue the bare wires away from flammable materials.
However, not all junction boxes are appropriate to live used with ceiling fans.
NEC Requires the Boxes to Be Fan-Rated
Ceiling fan junction boxes make everything a regular junction box does, only they are designed to back up the weight of a ceiling fan, fifty-fifty with the addition of rotational forces, in addition to attach to a joist.
Regular junction boxes aren’t designed for weight-bearing too, hence, power be unable to support the weight of a ceiling fan. I say “mightiness” because it does depend on the weight of your ceiling fan.
Unlike regular junction boxes, ceiling fan boxes are more than heavy-duty. They come up amongst a minimum rating of fifty lbs as well as can support upwards to 75 lbs.
Section 314.27(C) of the National Electric Code (NEC) states the requirements for ceiling fan junction boxes.
According to this code, junction boxes used to back up a ceiling fan should live listed past the manufacturer equally suitable for ceiling fan installation too should non be used to back up fans that weigh more than 70lbs.
Using a box that is below the weight rating of the fan would consequence in an unstable installation, creating a prophylactic chance.
Pancake Boxes Can Be Fan-Rated
On the surface, all pancake boxes expect the same. However, they do not come alongside the same weight rating.
Most pancake boxes take a weight boundary of 50 lbs, simply y'all tin get specialty fan-rated pancake boxes that tin back up up to 70 lbs.
According to Section 314.27(C) of the NEC code, which we discussed earlier, a box has to be listed past the manufacturer for ceiling fan installation inward club to be considered fan-rated.
So, whether a pancake box tin can live used to mountain a ceiling fan or non would depend on if the manufacturer designed it to accommodate that role.
How to Tell if a Pancake Box Is Fan-Rated?
Electrical codes mandate that boxes designed for ceiling fan installation take a marking that shows that they are suitable for this function.
Manufacturers typically place the marker on the box itself together with on its packaging. So, patch making your buy, expect out for information indicating that the box is appropriate for mounting ceiling fans.
For boxes that are already installed, yous might live looking for a mode to make up one's mind if it is fan-rated or needs to be replaced. This agency dismounting whatever is currently installed on the box.
Most boxes have the data on the plate, which is the side facing the room, but few of them take the information on the side facing into the ceiling. If the information isn’t facing the room, you lot might accept to unscrew the box to inspect its dorsum side.
Ceiling fan boxes are attached to joists, then bank check that the box is connected to a joist. If it isn’t, that’second a sign that the installer did non accept ceiling fans inward listen when they chose too installed it.
One mode to make this is to inspect the box for wood screws. Alternatively, jiggle the box and if it moves easily, it’second a sign that the box isn’t fan-rated.
Of class, it power be a fan-rated box that isn’t properly installed. This would live practiced to know because y'all cannot hang a ceiling on a poorly installed box. It will wobble in addition to tin can become unsafe.
How Do They Attach to Joists?
Unlike other ceiling fixtures, ceiling fans move. Their drive exerts force per unit area on mounting components, which is why it is essential that they are mounted on a stable surface.
Joists are the only office of the ceiling that provides the necessary back up for ceiling fans. As a consequence, they are crucial for ceiling fan installation.
Conventional ceiling fan boxes are either screwed direct to the joist from underneath or from the side, or they tin be installed between next joists with the help of a dyad.
Pancake boxes can alone live attached direct to ceiling joists (from underneath). They feature holes on their metallic plates through which woods screws are attached to the joist.
One of the unique qualities of pancake boxes is their shallow composition allows them to sit down even out with ceiling joists.
Benefits of Pancake Boxes Over Regular Boxes
Pancake boxes aren’t e'er the become-to choice for ceiling fan installation. This is likely because a wide range of pancake boxes aren’t fan-rated.
One of my favorite things most pancake boxes is how slow they are to install. The boxes feature screw holes that y'all tin agree to align with ceiling joists as well as and then screw the box in home.
With pancake boxes, you lot make non accept to bother almost attic access as the box is designed to back up quondam function installations.
In around situations, their shallow composition can essay advantageous. For example, if the joist is rattling more or less the ceiling, regular boxes, which come inward depths of ane i/two“ to iii” might non live ideal, as they would poke out of the ceiling.
On the other mitt, pancake boxes are only 1/three” or iii/4” deep too are designed to sit even out on the joist.
Additionally, pancake boxes price slightly less than virtually metal fan-rated boxes, and then they tin assist salve costs if you are on a tight budget.
Best Fan-Rated Pancake Boxes
The outset affair to look out for when purchasing a pancake box for your fan is its weight rating.
This is peculiarly of import if you are purchasing the box online because in that location are a lot of pancake boxes that claim to live ideal for ceiling fan installation but on closer perusal, you lot observe that their weight boundary is below 30 lbs.
I’ve place together my acme three picks of fan-rated pancake boxes. All the products on the listing are able to back up fans upwardly to 70 lbs in addition to light fixtures upwards to 150 lbs, which is the standard weight bound for fan-rated junction boxes.
They are all made from durable metal in addition to tin can be used for a diverseness of applications.
one. Hubbell-Raco 295 one/ii-Inch Deep 1/ii-Inch Ceiling Fan Support Pan Box
Hubbell-Raco 295 i/2-Inch Deep ane/two-Inch Bottom Knockouts four-Inch Round Ceiling Fan Support Pan, metallic
- This are slow to use
- This are highly durable
- This is manufactured inward Red China
- Model issue: 295
Last update on 2023-04-xv / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Includes the necessary installation hardware together with instructions.
- Programmable pattern offers installation flexibility.
- Includes a metallic embrace to protect wiring during picture or drywall installation.
Cons
- Their ane/ii“ depth can entirely household limited wires.
2. Westinghouse Lighting 0103611 Saf-T-Pan, ane/ii-Inch Deep
Westinghouse Lighting 0103611 Saf-T-Pan, i/ii-Inch Deep, Red
- Support box allows for prophylactic installation of a ceiling fan or lite fixture; attaches to an existing ceiling joist
- Fits all ceiling fan models; one/2-Inch-deep box amongst vi-cubic-Inch capacity
- Dual mounting capabilities; 5 knockouts for Conduit or Romex
- UL listed for lighting fixture back up of 150 pounds or less, acceptable for fan support of 70 pounds or less
Last update on 2023-04-fifteen / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Features dual mounting capabilities.
- Includes a plastic embrace to protect wiring whenever you are working on the ceiling. Includes necessary mounting hardware.
Cons
- The screws provided mightiness be as well long, and so y'all mightiness have to shorten them or replace them.
- Their shallow depth would forcefulness you lot to cut wire excesses, which could terminate upward beingness unhelpful in the hereafter.
3. OhLectric Saf-T-Pan Ceiling Fan Support Box
OHLECTRIC Saf-T-Pan Ceiling Fan Support - Contains Thread Screws, Romex Connector - vi Cubic Inch Wiring Capacity - ane/two" Deep Ceiling Pan - Provides Secure Attachment - OL-40670
- GREAT PROTECTION: Installing fans in addition to lite fixtures is no more a hard task! Because our Saf-T-Pan is engineered to support fans upwards to 70 pounds in addition to light fixtures upwardly to 150 pounds. This tool will...
- COMPLETE TOOL: Comes with all necessary mounting hardware, wire bushing, romex connector too instructions to get the chore done correct the starting time fourth dimension. The Safe-T-Pan as well features a Saf-T-Cap to protect...
- SAFETY LISTED: Your condom is our priority! Our back up tool is certified to live a condom listed production past UL. This Saf-T-Pan features a one/2-inch-deep box with six-cubic-inch capacity, and so you can easily...
- EASY INSTALLATION: Your run becomes easier! As our tool comes alongside pocket-sized details like wooden screws, y'all tin can easily cook your ceiling fans. You need non become whatsoever extra tools for fixing your fans or...
Last update on 2023-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Includes plastic cover to protect wiring while picture or drywall installation.
- Comes amongst the necessary mounting hardware.
Cons
- You power live forced to cutting wire excesses because of their shallow composition.
- Knock-outs mightiness be difficult to take.
Sources
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2015P3/chapter-39-power-in addition to-lighting-distribution
https://www.thespruce.com/electrical-switch-in addition to-junction-boxes-1824666
https://www.thespruce.com/electric-devices-call for-no-junction-boxes-1152220
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