Recessed lights are a great way to add light in your home, but you must be careful where you place them as some locations can be potentially hazardous from overheating. IC Rated lighting has been designed to manage lighting covered by insulation, but how do you know how to tell if recessed lighting is ic rated? What is IC rated lighting and how does it differ from non ic rated lights?
This article will teach you how to identify both types of fixtures and what the differences between them are so that you can make an informed decision about which type of fixture you want installed in your own home.
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A certification that indicates how much heat a specific light fixture can withstand, and how long it will take to reach the point of overheating. The rating is in degrees Celsius.
IC ratings are most commonly found on recessed lighting fixtures (or any household appliance) with metal housings or aluminium covers, which act as heating elements when they are turned on.
IC (insulated contact) rated recessed lights are safe to use, even if they’re covered by insulation.
This type of fixture will shut off if the heat from the bulbs becomes too much and it will return to normal once cooler temperature is achieved.
The reason why IC rated lights are considered the safest option for homes that have insulation around the recessed light fixtures, is they have been designed to minimise the possibility of a fire being caused by an overheated bulb or whatever light source is being used in the fixture.
Using IC Rated lighting will extend the lifespan of the product, as it can run at the designed temperatures.
Insulation contact recessed lighting, is if you have any insulation on your ceiling, IC rated bulbs or products are a good option.
They can be used in attics or over unfinished ceilings where there’s an insulated material covering the space to prevent heat from escaping into other rooms of your house or into the atmosphere (this may also lower how much energy is needed for heating).
This will give you a guide on how to understand how to look out for IC rating and how it can help you as a consumer.
One way to tell how what is a type IC fixture is by looking at the package. If you see that it has an “IC” or “Insulation Class,” then this means that the light was manufactured with these specifications in mind and will be IC rated.
These labels are usually molded into the plastic behind the lampholder and should state whether NON IC when not adequately rated.
The standards that UL and ETL maintain will ensure the rated product is up to code.
Social proof is always useful as even IC Rated products could still create snags that are worth knowing of before you purchase. Check for product reviews from previous customers where you can.
ALWAYS check with your installer about whether it’s safe (and legal) in your home. Of course a qualified one should know what they are doing and refuse to install the wrong ones.
The answer to how do you know if a light bulb is ic rated or not depends on the type of recessed lighting fixture that it’s being used in. If IC rating isn’t necessary, LED bulbs are generally safe for use because they generate less heat than traditional incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs. However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t overheat.
IC can lights will be the most reliable because they have been tested to withstand how much heat is produced by each light bulb.
However, if you’re using a recessed fixture with an aluminium cover or metal housing (which acts as a heating element), then it’s important that your lighting product has an IC rating so that it won’t overheat and cause a fire.
If LED recessed lights are used in an IC rated fixture, they will be automatically safe from overheating because the heat won’t go beyond a certain point and shut off if it does. If you’re using these types of bulbs but not sure how what is ic rated lighting, consult your electrician.
However, although LED recessed lights run cooler than other lightbulbs, they do still need to be IC rated as LED does still produce heat that can build up.
Most LED lights are safe to use in any type of fixture, but it’s important that you check how much power is being used by the light bulb for your specific product. This will help you determine how hot the bulbs may get.
LED lights stay cool because it transfers heat away from the bulb by means of a heat sink located at its base. This design causes way less light to be lost out the top and keeps the bulb functioning efficiently as well.
So just as importantly, LED requires efficient heat management to maintain it’s longevity and performance. Unless the product has been designed to manage the added insulation with either a cut off mechanism or added clearance over the back, the LED will fail early.
Therefore, it’s important to know how what is ic rated lighting and how to tell if recessed lights are IC rated before you make your purchase. It will keep your lighting running efficiently and for longer whilst keeping your home insulated against the bridging of noise between rooms or cold temperatures from the outside.
* Disclaimer: this article is for informative purposes only. Always consult with a licensed electrician before installing any type of electrical fixture in your home, and check the local building codes to make sure you’re following regulations.
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