Recessed ceiling light.
Can lights, otherwise known as recessed lights, are light fixtures installed above the surface of the ceiling. All of the fixture's working components are inside the ceiling and out of sight, which makes can lights a beautiful addition to virtually any room. One area many self-installers aren't familiar with is insulate around can lights. These lights can be drafty if they aren't installed correctly, but that doesn't mean you can cover the lights over with attic insulation. In fact, insulating the wrong type of recessed can even pose a fire risk.
Instructions
1. Turn off the power to the can lights. Wait for the bulbs to cool off if the lights were previously on.
2. Remove the light bulb. Look inside the can light for a label that indicates whether the fixture is IC-rated or non-IC-rated.
An IC-rated recessed light is designed for a ceiling that has insulation. It is rated safe to be used around insulation.
A non-IC-rated recessed light fixture is installed in an area where there is no insulation. If this type of fixture comes into direct contact with insulation, it may overheat and cause a fire.
3. Climb into the ceiling and locate the can lights in question. If insulation is present and the fixture is IC-rated, then insulation can be applied directly over the fixture with no worries about overheating the fixture.
If the fixture is non-IC-rated and it is installed in an insulated ceiling, it must have at least 3 inches of clearance on all sides of the fixture from the insulation.
4. Measure 3 inches away from the non-IC-rated light fixture and use the utility knife to cut away the excess insulation. Repeat on all four sides of the can light to ensure that it won't come into contact with insulation.
Tags: light fixture, recessed light, contact with, , fixture IC-rated, recessed light fixture