Reinforcing the ceiling box ensures your new fan is securely supported.
A new ceiling fan can adds lighting accent and increased air circulation, but it also places additional weight and torque on a conventional ceiling electrical box. The simple solution is to install a fan brace to reinforce the fixture location. Fan braces are easy to install and are made to support up to 150 pounds, eliminating any concern that the ceiling and electrical box are not adequately supported for the new fan.
Instructions
1. Turn off the electrical power to the ceiling fixture location at the main breaker panel.
2. Remove the existing light fixture, if applicable, to expose the ceiling box and wiring.
3. Disconnect the electrical wire from the existing ceiling box by loosening the box’s cable clamp using a screwdriver.
4. Detach the existing ceiling box from the standard joist brace by removing the connecting screws in the base and remove from the opening in the drywall. If the ceiling box has been tacked to the ceiling joist, enlarge the cutout in the drywall with a utility knife by about 3/4-inch around the perimeter of the box, then use a pry bar or nail puller to loosen the flange nails and free the box.
5. Twist the connecting rod of the fan brace to shorten the brace, then slip it through the opening in the drywall and rotate the brace shaft clockwise with an adjustable wrench to extend the threaded arms until the brace is tightly wedged against the ceiling joists on either side of the drywall opening. Be sure to keep the brace arm centered over the opening as it is being tightened.
6. Place the fan brace’s u-bolt assembly over the brace bar, center over the opening in the drywall and snap the clip over the brace bar.
7. Punch out one of the knock-out plugs in the side of the fan-rated outlet box, then hold the box next to the opening in the drywall and feed the through the knock-out hole. Push the fan-rated ceiling box up into the opening in the drywall, sliding the u-bolt ends through the holes in the base of the outlet box. Secure the box to the fan brace u-bolt with the two nuts provided and tighten the nuts until snug.
8. Feed the electrical wires through the center hole in the fan’s mounting plate and secure the plate to the ceiling box with the two mounting bolts provided. The outlet is now ready to have the fan installed.
Tags: opening drywall, ceiling electrical, electrical wire, existing ceiling, fixture location, over brace,