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Recessed Lighting Heat Issues

I'm installing several new recessed lighting fixtures in my basement. They will be installed on between my floor joists and have the ability (depending on lamp size) to be installed as either IC or Non-IC. Insulation is not an issue, so I'd like to use the Non-IC setup with bigger bulbs.

Regardless of IC, NON-IC setup, I'm a little concerned about the heat these things generate. Several of the proposed locations for lights are near to either NM wires or my PEX plumbing pipes. Is there a safe distance between these and the lights? I've checked a number of code books and can't find anything.

Anyway, if this won't work, I would welcome any suggestions on how to light a basement with suspended ceiling using other methods. I really, really, don't want to do the recessed fluorscents.

Thanks for any info. Patrick

Reply to
patrick_macken
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basement.

the ability

Non-IC.

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lights

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I really,

You can fit real nice track lighting that looks good...then just put a few recessed in, with lower wattage or fluorescent screw in's that look like incandescents...expensive, but the last a long time and run cool.

the pvc wont melt because it has water in it...nm wire will be Ok as long as its an inch or more from the box. even closer its probably OK...dont exceed the wattage range on the fixture ...Id go to fluorescent screw in's though.

Phil Scott

Reply to
Phil Scott

Please provide the manufacture and model number of these fixtures. In 35 years in the electrical trade I have never seen an dual rated fixture. Time to learn something. I can not understand why you would be interested in higher wattage bulbs and non-ic installation. Personally I never install any thing but. I look at this way, if some moron comes along later and puts an really to big bulb in the fixture it will shut itself down BEFORE there is a fire.

Reply to
SQLit

There should be instructions with or on the fixtures. We got non-IC fixtures (by mistake) and they stated they had to be 3" from insulation. What I don't understand is that the non-IC fixtures appear to be identical to the IC fixtures, except for a metal shield and the non-IC fixtures were painted white. The IC-rated fixtures were actually cheaper (at Home Depot, so why bother with non-IC rated fixtures?

Reply to
Michael Moroney

My electrical inspector advised that romex wires can run within a couple of inches or so from my non IC, thermally protected pot lamps. However I kept all wires well away just to be as safe as possible. Not all potlamps are thermally protected, so it is wise to choose a model that has thermal protection built in. People who change light bulbs often don't understand the safety issues involved, and it is reassuring that the lamp will shut off if overheating occurs.

Dave

Reply to
Dave

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