Ace Solves It All Kissimmee, FL

cannot use a regular electrical box for a light fixture for a fan. this may be what happened as the means of which they attach is much more rugged on the proper box and vibration will cause this to happen if that was the case we see this happen all the time. take care, charlie

glad he called and hope he can help you out Take Care, Charlie

does a great job one point is not correct and can be ver dangerous. if you have bx wire which is a metel covered cable it would be the old style which the outer metel jacket and the small wire in the cable assembly was never approved as a grounding path and DO NOT use it as such. that small wire was meant to hold the red head (insulating bushing ) which goes on the end of the cable at each connection. using this type of cable for a grounding path would be against code and a saftey problem. also a lot of these old electrical boxes had no tapped holes for a green grounding screw so you can use a grounding clip which clips over the edge of the box. also when looking for a ground wire in any old non metel cable assembly sometimes they just back wrapped the wire around the cable and it will be under the clamp holding the wire in the box. if you find this condition remove the clamp unwrap it ground the box properly splice it and have a ground wire continue out to the receptacle. when this situation is found you must also chase that wire back through all the other wiring devices back to the panel to make sure you have a good grounding path as that wire as installed at the original installation was not installed aa an approved grounding path. all this being said if you have any doubt hire a proffesional as in electrical work just because it works does not mean it is safe. i have been a licensed electrical contractor and trainer since the 70"s take care, Charlie

residential application the 180 watts on other posts is a calculation for a commercial application. depending on what the space is used for is what dictates the size of the wire needed and number twelve in most cases is a good idea and will exceed code which is a minimum standard. it sounds like you were using 12/3 which is a black,red,white and a bare wire for the ground wire which may be ok but you need to have the proper sizes boxes for that many conductors for each wire there is a calculation for sq. inches of box size. also if this space is used as storage etc it must have gfci protection. consult with your local electrician as sometimes there are local rules what i wrote about is the National Electircal Code which is added to in some area's and also you need to keep the wires at least 1 1/4 inch behind the face of any framing member if not you must have a nailing plate to protect it. Good Luck Charlie