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Posted By: harold endean Upside down recess lights. - 12/21/02 07:26 PM
I was on a job the other day and say what looked like up lights in the soffet over the front door. They were to shine straight up and wash the wall above the front door. When I looked closely at these two "uplights", they look like plain recess cans installed upside down. The will be properly supported in the wood ceiling so that they will shine straight up. My questions are:
1) Are they UL listed for upside down use?
2) Will they need a lens over it to keep dirt out?
3) Will the lens trip the thermal link inside hi hat?

I will meet the the contractor next week to ask him these questions, but has anyone ever seen this type of installation before?
Mind you, these are not the low voltage outside up lights that you would see outside around the home. They are just plain old hi hats (I think?) that are installed upside down to shine upward.

Harold
Posted By: sparky Re: Upside down recess lights. - 12/21/02 10:01 PM
Harold,
i cannot imagine what would posess anyone to create such an install when there are so many styles of accent lighting available.
Posted By: HotLine1 Re: Upside down recess lights. - 12/22/02 04:06 PM
Harold:
IMHO, if the fixture is inverted, exposed, and outside...it will require a lens. If it's a damp location, then it must be listed as such. The thermal should not be an issue, as heat rises, and if the fixture is inverted, it should not be affected.

If it's inside, a thought should be given to the accumulation of dust, as it can ignite from heat generated by bulbs, if not cleaned on a regular basis.

(Had a fire in a retail store; track heads (LV) shining "up" behind a wall rack display; 2 months of dust bunnies, and up it went)

Were the fixtures on the plans; and if so is there a spec??

Sounds like the "cheap way out".....
John
Posted By: harold endean Re: Upside down recess lights. - 12/23/02 02:43 AM
John,

I did a brief look at this job because the builder asked me too while I was on a rough inspection on the house next to it. I already told the GC that I would be asking the elec. cont. these questions when the rough inspection comes up. I think that I will have the rough inspection this week. Lets see what the EC has to say about the job.

Harold
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