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Installing Recessed Lights

9K views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  Stubbie 
#1 ·
I am installing a couple of Halo H99ICT recessed lights (See details at http://www.cooperlighting.com/specfiles/productinfopdf/H99ICT.pdf) over the vanities in a bathroom remodel and it just dawned on me I might have a problem, code wise. The "attic" area above the lights is very small with a top of ceiling to top of roof sheathing of less than 12 inches. With no ceiling now in place they are easy to wire but once the drywall ceiling goes up there will be no way to access the integral junction box on each fixture without tearing out the ceiling. I know, in general, all splices and connections must be accessible without tearing out permanent construction. Any comments?
 
#2 ·
Just a question? Do you have a flat roof? How would there be no access from above unless there is plywood placed on joist to create an attic floor?

I don't know the code, but my friends father is a master electrician, and I BELIEVE, you can do so, because the drywall isn't permanent, as, lets say a joist is.. U follow? I could be wrong though..
 
#3 ·
With no ceiling now in place they are easy to wire but once the drywall ceiling goes up there will be no way to access the integral junction box on each fixture without tearing out the ceiling. I know, in general, all splices and connections must be accessible without tearing out permanent construction. Any comments?
Look closer. The internal housing can be removed from the frame. This allows access to the junction box. All new construction cans have this feature. It wouldn't make sense for the lights to have no access except from above. You wouldn't be able to comply with code if that was the case. In the case of luminaires jb's must be readily accessible. Climbing in an attic to get to a light jb isn't my idea of a readily accessible .:)

Somewhere in the instructions it will tell you about this feature, you must have read over it.

Stubbie
 
#4 ·
Bujalay: The area has such a low clearance because it is in a bunp out out past the exterior wall where the ceiling meets the roof.

Stubie: This particular fixture is an air tight, insulation contact box (See link in my first post.) It is a box within a box with the junction box attached but completely separate. There is no opening between the box and the interior of thefixture and no info about access in the instructions.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Bob look here.......

http://www.lighting-fixtures-ceiling-fans.com/store/PPF/parameters/674_327/more_info.asp

The housing holding the bulb removes from the 'plaster frame', this gives you access to the jb. Read installation features.

In your link read under heading plaster frame "housing can be removed to give access to junction box". All new work recessed are like this in some way or another.

It may have a screw(s) to remove or a slot to push a screwdriver through to release the housing ....something. The JB has two access doors one on the inside and one on the outside.... see them? See the strap between the two knockouts? It clips onto both access doors.



Stubbie
 
#7 ·
No problem and for what its worth I've had a few recessed cans that it took me a long time to figure out how to get the housing out. it sorta reminds me of those things you buy that say "some assembly required".:)

Stubbie
 
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