Anyone know if the new “Air-Tite” HALO can lights (like the H7RICAT) will take insulation on top? I seem to have read that, somewhere, but there’s nothing on the Cooper Lighting site about it at all, and when you look at them, all they did was plug all the holes in the standard H7RICTs. You couldn’t put insulation on top of the old models; they’d overheat and melt the wiring. Insulation around was fine, but on top, not.
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They come with directions. I believe the ones with "IC" in the part number are for "insulation contact."
I read the directions. Nothing there. "IC" means contact "around," not "on top."
IC = INSULATED CIELLING, if its IC you can stick it in insulation
Simple answer people would think so, but every one I've ever installed with insulation on top as well as on the sides burnt out. Sides-only worked fine. And I've seen that prohibition in print. So, either the new cans have heavier wiring, or they are vulnerable to the same problem.
... or take 2 watt bulbs.
"So, either the new cans have heavier wiring, or they are vulnerable to the same problem"
-- just in case some other newbees read this, the wiring gauge has nothing to do with the IC rating, it has to do with a thermal "switch" which, a small piece of sheet steel which when hot contorts slightly breaking contact. The cans are all designed to dissipate heat and are labeled to clearly identify all trim rings/bulb combinations. Use something else and you'll keep tripping the thermal overload switch