halogen spotlights

[Mike Guess]

I've been asked to fit some of those low voltage halogen ceiling
spotlights but I am concerned about what should be fit above the light (
in the loft ) .
Halogens give off quite a bit of heat, so I was wondering whether there
should be some sort of heat protection or does the loft insulation just
go back on top of the fitting ? Are 50/60w lamps enough to cause
damage/fire ?

The back of the fittings are open and there are no specific instructions
in the box .


Mike

 

[SQLit]

I've been asked to fit some of those low voltage halogen ceiling
spotlights but I am concerned about what should be fit above the light (
in the loft ) .
Halogens give off quite a bit of heat, so I was wondering whether there
should be some sort of heat protection or does the loft insulation just
go back on top of the fitting ? Are 50/60w lamps enough to cause
damage/fire ?

The back of the fittings are open and there are no specific instructions
in the box .


Mike

You should be using an IC fixture for the lamp listed. Some fixtures do not
list halogen for that very reason. If left on for long periods and not
installed properly any light bulb could cause a fire. If the fixture is not
IC then you should remove the insulation from above the fixture, This also
causes drafts and cold spots.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Mike Guess formulated the question :

I've been asked to fit some of those low voltage halogen ceiling spotlights
but I am concerned about what should be fit above the light ( in the loft ) .
Halogens give off quite a bit of heat, so I was wondering whether there
should be some sort of heat protection or does the loft insulation just go
back on top of the fitting ? Are 50/60w lamps enough to cause
damage/fire ?

The back of the fittings are open and there are no specific instructions in
the box .

Fit an upside down plant pot above the fitting, to ensure an adequate
clearance of insulation from the lights.

 

[art]

Certainly using IC (Insulated Ceiling) fixture is recommended, but now days
you probably should use vapor barrier as well (depends on the location and
age of the house) and build non combustive box, or instead of this
combination you can use AC (Air Tight) fixture that is approved for
insulated ceilings. You do not give any information as to the location, but
I am sure you can find the dimensions and material for the box described in
the Local Electrical Code. The idea with flower pot is not bad, as long as
meets minimum dimensions and is permanently fastened. I can tell you from my
own experience, if you do not permanently attached the "pot", you will find
that your fixture is covered with insulation next time you visit the attic
(plumber, satellite tech, alarm tech, HVAC tech, telephone tech, or some one
else WILL move it), and then it does not take much to start smoldering,
especially that the non-IC/AT fixtures do not require thermal cut-out. Take
care.
Art.

 

[Paul]

Certainly using IC (Insulated Ceiling) fixture is recommended, but now days
you probably should use vapor barrier as well (depends on the location and
age of the house) and build non combustive box, or instead of this
combination you can use AC (Air Tight) fixture that is approved for
insulated ceilings. You do not give any information as to the location, but
I am sure you can find the dimensions and material for the box described in
the Local Electrical Code.

The idea with flower pot is not bad, as long as

meets minimum dimensions and is permanently fastened. I can tell you from my
own experience, if you do not permanently attached the "pot", you will find
that your fixture is covered with insulation next time you visit the attic
(plumber, satellite tech, alarm tech, HVAC tech, telephone tech, or some one
else WILL move it), and then it does not take much to start smoldering,
especially that the non-IC/AT fixtures do not require thermal cut-out. Take
care.
Art.

In the US, *ALL* recessed lighting fixtures require the thermal cut-out
switch - IC or otherwise.

 

[Adrian Chirgwin]

You can buy proper socks to fit over the fitting they are about £10 from
most electrical wholesalers and I think part B of the new building regs
require that you maintain fireproofing between floor levels and these socks
are ok because if there is a fire the material of the sock swells and seals
any gaps