Blown Cellulose & IC rated can lights
Guys (and the occasional Gals),
Bathroom renovation below unconditioned attic space. Blew in Cellulose into the area where I installed an IC rated 6″ can light (not airtight) above the shower. I will use a shower rated trim that is airtight.
When I went to put the trim on I noticed that cellulose insulation was sticking out of every hole in the housing. The shower trim is going to generate more heat that usual and I know cellulose is fire retardant but I am still concerned. I figured I would run it by the veterans before I test my insurance policy.
Replies
Usual suggestion is to build an airtight box out of rigid foam board to put over the can light, then pile up the insulation around that box.
IC means I-sulation C-ontact
so they are designed to be in complete contact with insualtion , as long as you don't use a higher bulb than thye are rated for
here's a good site with a good discussion...
http://www.renovation-headquarters.com/lighing-recessed-insulating.htm
Other than the definition, what is the difference between an IC can and a non-IC can? For a given bulb size, they both have to dissipate the same heat some way. How do they differ in this respect? Does the "air tight" IC can actually depend on a slight bit on non-tightness to dissipate heat?If either is insulated above very well, then little heat will go up or sideways, relative to the heat that must go down to the air next to the ceiling, to flow laterally until cooled by the surrounding ceiling sheetrock. As more insulation is piled around the can, less heat is dissipated upward, and the temperature at the boundary of the insulation must go up. How hot will it get? Clearly it does depend on wattage, but just what temperature is "safe?"IC or not, if a box is built around the can, with an air space between the box and the can, then the important heat transfer area is the inside of the box rather than the exterior of the can. The greater area means less temperature difference from the inside surface of the box to the attic, presumably less problematic.At what point does the level of insulation in contact with an IC can become a problem, if at all? Just asking.
i don't know the difference... but UL and the mfr. do..... and they rate them for it
i will bury an IC can in cellulose but i wouldn't dream of letting insulation of any kind come in contact with a non-IC canMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I'm not sure if this is gospel, but I think IC's have a thermal cutout. Temp gets too hot, the light starts blinking on/off as the temp cycles from to hot to not to hot. Not sure if non-ICs have that thermal cutout. I haven't touched a non-IC can in several years. Actually it's been a couple of years since I've touched an IC can.Man, it's been a good couple of years.
That is my understanding as well.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Put a fluorescent bulb in that hole. Less heat. No problems.