ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area can lights

Hey y'all,

Just did a job replacing flourescent lights in a kitchen with can (recessed) lights.

These are IC-rated housings (Junos). Because of the layout, two of the housings were installed snug against a joist. Also I used the Arlington black plastic button Romex clamps rather than metal clamps.

I figured that if the cans are safe to bury in insulation, it doesn't matter if they're up against a joist. What do you think?

Also, a guy at my supply house made the comment that the thermal cutoffs for cans are unnecessary now because of a change in the way insulation is made (the guy claimed that insulation used to have a trace of oil in it). He said that he's known electricians who bypassed the thermal cutoff if the fixture was routinely cutting off...
The whole line seemed like bull to me. Anyone who'd bypass a thermal cutoff seems to be putting the residents at risk from fire. Any comments?

Myself i've about had it up to my eyeballs with supply house guru's, most of which know all about our trade but do not practice it in the field.

they remind me of the old addage, some people work harder at avoiding work than working itself.

It seems that 410-66(a)(2) provides approval for your installation.
As far as bypassing a thermal safety device, it is not only un-ethical, it borders on criminal!

bypassing a thermal overload is like putting a penney in an old fuse holder dumb-dangerous-stupid. any electrician who does so deserves to lose his/her license.

First of all DO NOT bypass the thermal the Juno IC rated can is UL listed as an assembly and under no circumstances should be removed or altered. In answer to the second Question (can this fixture be installed in direct contact with combustible materials)(the Joist). Yes if it is a Juno IC rated Air-Loc ready style recessed no other Juno recessed fixtures are allowed within 1/2 in. to combustibles.


Work smarter not harder