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View Full Version : Can you actually bury IC rated recessed lighting in blown insulation?


Huck
Feb 15, 2007, 08:04 PM
My Lithonia Lighting L7X IC rated recessed housings spec sheet says approved for direct burial in insulation. OK, I can read, but do you guys really believe I can bury them in over a foot of blown flame retardant cellulose or blown fiberglass?

If not a fire hazard, do you think the lights will overheat internally and shut off with there internal thermostat?

Thanks

tkrussell
Feb 16, 2007, 01:39 AM
Yes IC rated recess fixtures can be buried with insulation. The important thing to remember is to only use the lamps the recess fixture is rated for. This will prevent the internal thermal cutout from detecting overheating and shut off the lamp.

A common mistake is using a lamp of a higher wattage rating or using the wrong type of lamp. If a recess fixture is only rated for R lamps, reflector style, then A lamps, standard household lamps, cannot be used.

The label inside each recess fixture will list the lamps and trims the fixtures is rated for. Even using the wrong trim can cause problems.