National Electrical Code

Not a Fan of This Rule

Aug. 17, 2018

Interpreting the NEC: Fan-Rated Outlet Boxes

All references are based on the 2017 edition of the NEC, unless otherwise noted.

When it comes to deciding whether a fan-rated box should be installed at a luminaire location where a paddle fan could be installed, there seems to be confusion in the Code rules. There are no rules in the Code that require you to install a listed fan-rated outlet box — that is, of course, unless you are not actually going to install a fan. Yes, it’s true. You might need to install a fan-rated box in a location where no fan is being installed.

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The second paragraph of Sec. 314.27(C) states, “where spare, separately switched, ungrounded conductors are provided to a ceiling-mounted outlet box, in a location acceptable for a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan in one-family, two-family, or multifamily dwellings, the outlet box or outlet box system shall be listed for sole support of a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan.” Now if a 2-wire cable is run to this location, a fan-rated box would not be required. Likewise, if a 3-wire cable is run to this box, where both ungrounded “hot” conductors were on the same switch or if one “hot” wire was simply not switched at all, a fan-rated box would not be required. But a fan-rated box would be required at a luminaire location if a 3-wire cable was run, and two separate switches are installed to control the “hot” conductors — one conductor being connected to the luminaire and the other one capped off as a spare for future use on the fan, which might never be installed. I find this all a bit ironic.

Section 422.18 also comes into play on this topic. It states that paddle fans shall be supported independently of the outlet box. It also gives us the option of supporting the fan directly to the box if a fan-rated box is used. But paradoxically, it never actually requires us to install a fan-rated box.

Yes, I understand the intent of Sec. 314.27(C) is to provide for the possibility of a paddle fan being installed in place of a luminaire. However, because paddle fans can be supported independently of the outlet box, and fans can be installed at luminaire locations with no “spare” conductors, I suppose the irony of installing fan-rated boxes where fans are not installed, and installing non-fan-rated boxes where fans are installed, will simply continue.

About the Author

Russ LeBlanc | Owner

Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.

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