How to Identify Non-IC Rated Lights In Your Home The US Dept of Energy has a great write up on how to properly construct these enclosures that can be found HERE. Once the cover is installed, it can be covered in insulation for peak efficiency. This box can be made of foil-faced foam insulation or drywall. One way to remedy this is to build a box style cover to go over the fixture on the attic side. This is counter-intuitive though, as that 3 inch gap in the insulation would defeat the purpose of insulation by creating large amounts of uninsulated space. There should be 3 inches of clearance between the fixture and any insulation. Non IC rated light fixtures can be installed in areas where insulation is present. Notice the white housing and vent holes on the non-IC rated lightĬlearance requirements for Non IC Rated fixtures Non IC rated fixtures usually have a white housing and light can be seen shining through vent holes in the housing, whereas IC rated fixtures have a silver outer housing and no gaps for light to shine through. They are easily distinguishable from their IC rated counterparts. These fixtures were traditionally preferred because of their compatibility with higher wattage/brighter light bulbs. The open air surrounding the fixture allows for heat dissipation into the space. These lights are great for areas where insulation isn’t necessary. Non IC rated fixtures are built with only a single can or housing and holes in the housing for ventilation.
IC rated lights provide the proper housing for use with blown in insulation commonly seen in attics today. This cooler outer can allows the fixture to be installed in direct contact with insulation without the risk of combustion. The air gap between the 2 cans creates an insulating effect that keeps the outer can cooler. IC rated fixtures are constructed with a double can design or a “can within a can” if you will. The difference between the 2 types of fixtures can be seen in their construction. This is important as non-IC rated recessed lighting in contact with insulation creates a fire hazard. IC rated fixtures are designed to be installed in areas where they will be in direct contact with insulation. The IC stands for Insulation Contact, which means just what it sounds like. There are 2 types of recessed can lights: IC rated and non-IC rated. Recessed lighting is a great way to light up your home if you don’t want light fixtures protruding from the ceiling, but there are special considerations you should take into account. Understanding the difference between IC rated and non-IC rated recessed lighting will help you identify possible fire hazards in your home. This heat can be a safety hazard in certain situations where recessed lighting is used. Lights generate a lot of heat when they are in use.
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