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Lighting - HELP?
1 - Where Should / Can Lighting Be Located? 2 - New Construction or Remodel housing? 3 - Insulated, Double Wall, and Air Tight housings 4 - Bulbs - Types of Bulbs and Their Usage 5 - Housing Diameters and Bulb Usage 7 - Low Voltage (12V) or Line Voltage (120V) MR16 Bulbs? 8 - Lighting Controls - Setting the mood of your lighting system 9 - Choosing the Proper Housing and Trim 10 - Sloped Ceiling Housing and Trim Information
11 - Retrofit / Conversion Kits & Tools
12 - Fluorescent Bulbs AKA Lamps
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3 - Insulated, Non-Insulated, Double Wall, and Air Tight Housings. Non-Insulated or Universal Housings have a thermal switch built in to the housing that automatically shuts the light bulb off in the event of overheating due to improper lamping or installation. If overheating occurs the switch simply turns light off until the temperature inside the housing decreases to a safe level then the switch automatically turns the light back on. However, these housings MAY NOT be in contact with insulation, ducts, or structure in the installation space. There must be adequate ventilation or air space so heat can be dissipated properly. For most residential applications this type of housing works just fine as long as the housing has adequate clearance (3" minimum) from flammable materials such as insulation and has adequate air space around it to dissipate heat.
Insulated (IC) Housings are the only housings that are rated to be in contact with insulation, ducts, or structure in the installation space. These housings also have a built in thermal switch that guards against improper lamping and installation. Double wall housings offer additional fire protection and heat containment. These housings require more space be available for installation than do non-insulated or universal housings. Double Wall (DW) and Airtight (AT) Housings are designed to restrict airflow into ceiling plenums. The DW/AT housings are designed specifically to comply with Washington State Energy Code requirements. You will notice that, with few exceptions, all of the DW housings are also of the IC variety and may be in contact with insulation. The ability to be in contact with insulation is because of the IC rating and not because of the double wall or air tight construction. In some housings the double wall facilitates the air tight construction but most air tight housings are not double wall. The double wall construction allows for the use of higher wattage bulbs which give off more heat. The added air space aids in dissipating this additional heat to meet some code requirements of some states. These housings require more space be available for installation than do non-insulated or universal housings. Airtight housings are gasketed to prevent air flow from heated or air conditioned spaces. AT housings can not be in contact with insulation unless they are also of the IC variety.
Check your local building codes to determine if insulated housings are required or under what conditions insulated housings are required.
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