What's this in my ceiling?

[dabuddha]

It's the alternator for your house

 

[edro]

That's a metal junction box and it probably had a ceiling fan attached to it.
All those circular grooves in the paint looks like they were created by the shroud on the top of ceiling fans.
The ground wire is looped under the grounding screw, which tells me it is a metal junction box.
Also, the round features in the bottom of the J box appear to be ejection pads for a diecast metal part.
It is possibly plastic, but my money is on metal.

I see 3 conductors (red, black, white), which is used on 3 way lights or on ceiling fans to control the motor and light separately.

Find the switch(es) on the wall to see if it controls the red and black wires independently, or if there are multiple single switches that control both, from different points in the house.

I have no way of knowing whether or not it is properly installed and can support a ceiling fan though. As long as it is secured to a ceiling joist or 2 joists using a spanning bracket, it can support a fan.

 

[LookBehindYou]

It's a dikfer

 

[Syringer]

Turns out it's a dimmer too.

 

[HAL9000]

Probably just one of these:

 

[jlee]

And I came in here to see how far down "spider" was on the post count.:thumbsup)

Me too.

 

[paperfist]

Up in here in Canada we use them for nearly everything. I think they were originally patented here too. I actually prefer them to any other type of screw head because they don't strip as easily.

Don't they all have pointy ends meant for driving through wood though? I've never seen one with a flat end like a machine screw meant for electrical boxes.

 

[Howard]

Don't they all have pointy ends meant for driving through wood though? I've never seen one with a flat end like a machine screw meant for electrical boxes.

I'm pretty sure they make them, but yes, they tend to be for self-tapping screws.

 

[DrPizza]

I like how this thread has turned into a pissing contest about framing terminology.

Would you take advice concerning home issues from a 16 year old who doesn't even know some of the most basics, such as the difference between a stud and a joist?

I installed a really heavy light fixture to such a box in our dining room. I told my parents that I didn't think it was secured to much, the thing was very wobbly, but we went ahead anyway. It's still hanging there fine.

What's "really heavy"? You might be fine. With a ceiling fan, and accompanying vibration, one might hang just fine for the life of the fixture, or maybe it'll only make it 4 or 5 years before the screws in a plastic box finally pull free. If you're attaching something above your head, you really ought to make sure that the attachment is considered strong enough to be permanent.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

That's a metal junction box and it probably had a ceiling fan attached to it.
All those circular grooves in the paint looks like they were created by the shroud on the top of ceiling fans.
The ground wire is looped under the grounding screw, which tells me it is a metal junction box.
Also, the round features in the bottom of the J box appear to be ejection pads for a diecast metal part.
It is possibly plastic, but my money is on metal.

I see 3 conductors (red, black, white), which is used on 3 way lights or on ceiling fans to control the motor and light separately.

Find the switch(es) on the wall to see if it controls the red and black wires independently, or if there are multiple single switches that control both, from different points in the house.

I have no way of knowing whether or not it is properly installed and can support a ceiling fan though. As long as it is secured to a ceiling joist or 2 joists using a spanning bracket, it can support a fan.

This was my take.

...or the Asian glory hole.

 

[Locut0s]

Probably just one of these:

The bulb need replacing.