• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

What's this in my ceiling?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
DrPizza said:
It's an electrical box for a (I assume it's on the ceiling) ceiling light. It's a plastic box, therefore it's not strong enough to hold up a ceiling fan. I'm going to guess that somewhere in the kitchen is a switch that goes to nothing. Else, the light had a pull string to turn it on and off. (Age of house?)
Click to expand...

How are you getting this is plastic? The ceiling looks like plaster, which means the box is mudded in. A plastic box mudded into plaster would be rare. It should be a round metal box, and it probably has a steel bar attached to it across the top of the ceiling joists, so you can safely hang anything. Check the attic.

Honestly I am not sure if that is even electrical wiring. It could be a an Asian glory hole?
 
Not to worry OP. Obama is having all houses wired to install government cameras so he can keep tabs on you.
 
BoomerD said:
Studs are in the walls, rafters/joists are in the ceiling...

Even a metal box that's only connected to a joist wouldn't really be sturdy enough for a ceiling fan. Those should be attached to a fan brace.
My house is wired with the cheap "plastic/bakelite" types of boxes. Every ceiling fan I install, I have to remove the installed box, put in a fan brace and box.
Click to expand...


Let's get it right:

What's equally important is that ceiling fan boxes come with larger/stronger screws for holding the fixture to the box, not just the box to the joist/brace.

And no, a brace is not always necessary, many approved styles, particularly for new work (in both metal and plastic) are made to be attached to a joist.
 
SphinxnihpS said:
Studs are in walls. Joists are in floors and ceilings and RAFTERS are in roofs.
Click to expand...

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-roof-joist.htm

Roof-truss-design-pitch1.gif
 
SphinxnihpS said:
How are you getting this is plastic? The ceiling looks like plaster, which means the box is mudded in. A plastic box mudded into plaster would be rare. It should be a round metal box, and it probably has a steel bar attached to it across the top of the ceiling joists, so you can safely hang anything. Check the attic.

Honestly I am not sure if that is even electrical wiring. It could be a an Asian glory hole?
Click to expand...

It is a fiberglass box which I'll bet is nailed to a rafter or a 2x4 that is nailed to a joist. It isn't just mudded into the drywall. That would be stupid. For ceiling fans I always use a ceiling fan brace between two joist and a metal box. This is just a fiberglass cheapo box made for a ceiling light fixture and wired for a two way switch.
 
pcgeek11 said:
It is a fiberglass box which I'll bet is nailed to a rafter or a 2x4 that is nailed to a joist. It isn't just mudded into the drywall. That would be stupid. For ceiling fans I always use a ceiling fan brace between two joist and a metal box. This is just a fiberglass cheapo box made for a ceiling light fixture and wired for a two way switch.
Click to expand...

No matter what kind it is, I never said it was secured by mud.
 
Aside from all this arguing, don't use it for anything but lighting unless you can determine if it is rated for fan use and installed correctly. Usually there is a switch in the area to control the light.

One of these non-contact voltage testers is a tool I couldn't do without to see if there is power to the box.
&
 
BoomerD said:
Sure...you can have floor joists...and roof joists. (which may also be called rafters, depending on the type of construction)
Click to expand...

Generally speaking, they are called joist if they are near level. Rafter denotes a pitched roof, generally something over 2/12.
 
Greenman said:
Generally speaking, they are called joist if they are near level. Rafter denotes a pitched roof, generally something over 2/12.
Click to expand...

Yes, generally, the rafters are the angled pieces that make up the truss, and the joists are the "horizontal" pieces that make up the ceiling...however, in many places, those are also called rafters...even though it's technically incorrect. (however, in pre-fab truss construction, both may be called "chords")

ita_construction_4.gif


c3848e0i.gif


anatomy-of-a-common-rafter.png
 
BoomerD said:
Studs are in the walls, rafters/joists are in the ceiling...

Even a metal box that's only connected to a joist wouldn't really be sturdy enough for a ceiling fan. Those should be attached to a fan brace.
My house is wired with the cheap "plastic/bakelite" types of boxes. Every ceiling fan I install, I have to remove the installed box, put in a fan brace and box.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Locut0s said:
You can't tell in that pic if the box is secured to a stud or not. To me this would really be the only important thing. If it's a metal box it won't matter much if it's not secured to a stud. 😀
Click to expand...

Yeah but if it's plastic (which it is) and mounted to the floor joists I still wouldn't trust the weight and vibration of a fan being held up by 2 screws into molded plastic.

Why does it look like square head deck screws holding up the metal bracket?
 
paperfist said:
Never seen them used in an electrical box application, just decks 😛
Click to expand...

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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top