Hi, I'm trying to install a ceiling fan.

The present ceiling box (if you can even call it a box) is an very old-style cylindrical black hunk of metal with four holes for the wires and a hole in the center through which there is a 3/8" threaded metal rod which supports the "box". Obviously this isn't adequate for a ceiling fan as there isn't even anything to attach the fan to. I was able to remove the box so now I just have the threaded rod coming out of the ceiling. I'm not exactly sure how it is supported but I think I can see it attached to something metal (some sort of pipe perhaps), way up in the ceiling. It seems very sturdy and I can practically hang from it (my ceiling fan requires 35lb support btw).

Unfortunately, I don't know what to do next. I'd like to attach a new (low-profile ceiling fan) box to this pipe but the threads only go up an inch or so, so I couldn't use a nut to hold a box high enough up so that it would be in the ceiling (the pipe comes down out of the ceiling a couple of inches). Since the pipe is attached way up there, there is no easy way to remove it and it would get in the way of a Saf-T bar or similar cross bar supported box setup. I can't even chip away the plaster as the the box is in the center of a large fruit-design plaster medallion which I couldn't just patch a hole in if I had to cut into it. I've already had to chip away quite a bit of plaster to get a new ceiling box to fit in the hole left by the old box. So, how can I secure this new box? Or should I give up and hang a normal, lighter fixture? I have no access from above either as there is another apartment on the next floor. I'm wondering if there is some kind of "collar" I can secure to the bar that will hold up a ceiling box? Does such a device exist? I'm guess that would probably be a code violations. The whole apartment appears to be a violation - bedrooms and living rooms with no switches or switches that are shorted out, no ceiling fixtures, etc. And all the wire insulations are cloth with steel armor cable around them which is really hard to work with.

I'd really appreciate any advice! Thanks,

Mike

Unfortunately, the only advice I will give at this moment, based on the information given , is to stop all work on the wiring in your apartment.

Contact your local municipal building or electrical inspector to find out if you are allowed to perform your own electrical work in a multi family dwelling.

Most states only allow single family homeowners that are unlicensed and unqualified at performing electrical work, to work in their own homes.

Should you continue doing electrical work in a multifamily building, even if you own the building, you , and only you, are completely liable and responsible for the safety of the other innocent occupants of the building, and for the building itself.

Judging by the condition of the apartment wiring, outlets, lights and switches, it sounds as if the dwelling is not safe as it stands, and is probably not acceptable for occupancy. Perhaps a call to the electrical inspector or health dept. may be a good in getting the necessary repairs perfromed to eliminate the existing hazards as you describe.

Considering the condition of the apartment, is keeping cool by installing a fan more important that the health and safety of yourself and any other occupants? I sure hope there are no innocent children living in these conditions.

Unfortunately, the only advice I will give at this moment, based on the information given , is to stop all work on the wiring in your apartment.

Contact your local municipal building or electrical inspector to find out if you are allowed to perform your own electrical work in a multi family dwelling.

Most states only allow single family homeowners that are unlicensed and unqualified at performing electrical work, to work in their own homes.

Should you continue doing electrical work in a multifamily building, even if you own the building, you , and only you, are completely liable and responsible for the safety of the other innocent occupants of the building, and for the building itself.

Judging by the condition of the apartment wiring, outlets, lights and switches, it sounds as if the dwelling is not safe as it stands, and is probably not acceptable for occupancy. Perhaps a call to the electrical inspector or health dept. may be a good in getting the necessary repairs perfromed to eliminate the existing hazards as you describe.

Considering the condition of the apartment, is keeping cool by installing a fan more important that the health and safety of yourself and any other occupants? I sure hope there are no innocent children living in these conditions.

It's even worse than that. I do not own the building in live in and only intended to install a light fixture in my living room where there was no light before (nor even a switched outlet). It's impossible to get my landlord to fix anything and he apparently thinks that it's acceptable to have a living room without a light. I was under the impression that I could change a light fixture without needed to get a licensed electrician. I've given up anyway and I've actually called an electrician and plan on having him come over soon and fix the fixtures.

I'd rather have it fixed and pay for it myself then wait for my landlord to have someone come and deal with it. He'd probably just slap a cap over it and call it fixed and I'd still be stuck without any light.

If I want to get the building inspected, I'd have to go through the landlord first as I believe is required by state law.

Fantastic, that is good news, glad to hear that you hired a pro. I fear sometimes I tell people the bad news and not make someone happy. Oh well, I rather have a live enemy than a dead friend.


As far as the condition of your building, I am sure there is some municipal agency that can help. Of course, you may end up alienating the landlord, but, you pay good money for a decent home. You are not required to live in unsafe conditions.

Check with your local city hall for the housing dept, health dept, building dept,or some other agency that has jurisdiciton over the safe living conditoins in dwellings. I am sure there is someone to help get the landlord to effect the necessary repairs.

What city and state do you live in?

I live in Somerville, Massachusetts. I'm not sure if there are really any code violations because the house is so old, that I assumed it's grandfathered in. The frustrating thing is that my bedroom inexplicably lacks a light switch and in the living room a shorter wire was simply disconnected and the ceiling fixture removed instead of having it fixed. I've put everything back the way I found it and it's in better condition then when I started so I think everything will be fine until the electrician comes over. I haven't lived there very long and I don't want to alienate the landlord, but I feel it is going to be inevitable because I'm going to be bugging him a lot in the future to fix a lot of the other problems in the apartment (ie. Hot water in the kitchen, tiles fallen off in the shower, etc).

Again, thank you for your advice.