ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Fixture Temp rating...

Bill,

Great point about surface mounted fixtures! That one slips my mind very often [but that's not hard for me!! - must be due to my post pubescent male menopause ].
Man, take down a surface mounted Incandescent fixture that has been driving a few 100 watt A19 lamps for years and the paint on the ceiling is Toast!! A regular Barbeque! Drywall Flambe`!! Plaster Thermador! [you get the idea ].

Steve,
Did you expect this thread to run out 30 replies?? Once again, congrads on a great discussion topic!

So, what's that DIY forum like? Are there many well informed members? Do many threads require Asbestos Keyboards / Monitors?? [thermo-nuclear wars]

Scott SET.

the warnings seem to be standard fare, i even noticed some cieling fans with warning that are displaced from the cieling.

Scott, credit must go to Bill , who gave me the idea here, it is a problem!!~!

the DIY'er forum has knowledgeable moderators and pinch-hitters for all trades and concerns, mostly repetitive explanations of where the white wire goes on the receptacle. some flamers over myserious sight-unseen diagnosis. good practice for refining the contractor-customer repore'...

.i am installing dimmable compact fluorescent recessed cans (26w) in my ceiling. the top of the fixture ( in the attic ) would only be 2.5 - 3 inches from the roof decking above. is that allowable ? NEC 410-66a sez 12" from combustables . can i flash the wood just above the fixture for heat dispersion/dissipation ? other insulators ? none of the above ?

thanks,
scott

scott57;
you need to use an IC can, then you may bury it in the insulation and 'in contact with combustibles'.

get some good IC's, usually these are viewed as an enclosure within an enclosure.

one can always tell a roof with non-IC cans in the winter around here.

scott57,

Welcome!
410-66a says 12.7mm (1/2 in.) from combustables. So it sounds like you're OK. If the cans are non-IC you have to keep the insulation 3 in. away from all parts of the fixture.


Bill

thanks for the replies. 12mm ? thats better, i thought it was 12" . i already have the fixtures and they are non-IC, and expensive, so i am going to use them ( without being dangerous ). so it sounds like if i keep the insulation >3" from the can and keep the can > 1/2" from combustibles i'm all right.

thanks,
scott

Scott57
non-IC's can be safely installed but
this may not be the best think for your roof

not the best thing for my roof ? meaning danger of fire ? no one has answered about flashing/fire barrier. i'm not holding anyone liable, just want to know what you all think.

scott

ps i live in san diego where there's never much on your roof to tell ic or non-ic. but also means nice dry tinder.

I wouldn't venture attempting to fashion some sort of heat shield. You never know the physical characteristics of homemades in actual practice. I've seen too many DIY fixes that obviously looked O.K. to someone (the installer), but made me wince. If you maintain proper clearnces, this should suffice. Otherwise try something else.(My opinion).

[This message has been edited by Redsy (edited 06-08-2001).]

it seems, on reading back through the thread, that i am in the right place. i am running all 90 C NM cable through my attic. it is a home run straight to the box. the fixtures are non ic with electronic dimmable ballasts rated at .25 amp (26w). fixture sez : maximum 8 12awg branch wires. i am daisy chaining them so the jb has 14/2 in and out ( to next fixture ) plus the 18 gauge they wired the ballast to the fixture ( 3 wires in to ballast, 4 wires out to socket ).more info for the thread.

scott

ps i got the fixtures after lots of painful back and forth at my local electrical supply house ( not home depot ). these new electronic dimmable ballasts aren't something everyone knows about. the trouble was matching the dimmer to the ballasts. conflicting opinions as to what would control which ballasts, etc. i've just hooked one up so far for a test. it dimmed beautifully and no noise or flicker. but the temperature thing i'm still pondering.