Recessed Lighting Close To Framing

Ohmy

Bubbles - What does IC rating have to do with the 1/2 rule? Does IC include contact with wood?

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Electrician in Alpharetta, Roswell, Atlanta

Bubbles

I'm 99% sure. I think anything IC rated can be in direct contact with combustable material including wood. Is there any code guru's who can find the exact wording?? I"m too lazy to go out to truck and sift through the bible. I really just found this out last year. For years I would stay 1/2" from sides min and 2" at least from top wood. If not, I would buy a mini can. I still have that 1% doubt though. Either way I still keep it as far as possible from wood just cause I'm paranoid.

Code Guru's?

Bubbles

410.116 (a)(2)

Zinsco

http://www.cooperlighting.com/specfi.../ADV042487.pdf

IC cans are listed for direct contact with combustible materials.

Zinsco

My code book doesn't go that high. We're still on the 2005 code...

Bubbles

I guess that means we could wedge it between 2 sticks of dynomite. Just to be a smart ass.

Ohmy

I totally agree. IC means its OK to be in contact with wood. Unfortunately, the inspectors around here don't see it that way. They say IC means in contact with insulation only. Of course, they will pass recessed lights in bead board ceilings all day long. In fact we had a job with four recessed lights in a bead board ceiling and one of the lights was sighted for being in contact with a wood beam...go figure.

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Electrician in Alpharetta, Roswell, Atlanta

Bubbles

Personally, I would never butt up a can on a stud. We all know later someone will come along and screw in a 150 Watt bulbs and then guess what

macmikeman

In the specific case of the Commercial Electric brand recess lights commonly purchased by homeowners who have a knack for saving 10 bucks in order to make me loose 50 in labor struggle and stress, they are not IC rated anyway, so the original poster if he is not actually a troll needs to move his light at least 1/2" in order to meet code. By the way, the 1/2" is for the top as well as the sides Bubbles, but like you 2-3" feels safer to me as well.

Zinsco

It will blink on and off?
.
.

skyhook

For an Architect/GC business owner with a Masters from Yale,
you sure are a dumb .

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