Can Lights
#1
09-18-03, 01:30 PM
Can Lights
Hello folks!
Not to be a pain in the can (pun) but I have a question on recessed can lights that I can't seem to address,
I have two Lightolier 1102P1 can lights on a switch. On of the lights has recently decided to go on strike. The other works perfectly.
Previous to this, the bulbs that I was placing in the (out) can would last for only a short period of time then blow with no warning. Recently the light would start to flicker then go out. After a period of time (with the switch off) the light would restart and be okay for several days then repeat the cycle ( flicker, out, restart). Now I have nothing . Working bulb from other light will not work in this can.
This can is thermally protected, is this indicative of the thermal protection causing it? The protector has three wires leading from it (white/ blue/black) and I would do wire for wire replacment. The light is in a open space in the kitchen ceiling ( between rafters, no insulation ).It is rated for 150 watt bulbs and we use 100, so I don't know if heat is a factor here. Do these thermals go bad with age?
I have power in the line up to the can wire connectors, but nothing at the light socket. Inside the socket, however, one of the connections looks like it was burnt. Could the assembly be shorted, or could a bad thermal cause this? Is it better to replace the whole socket or only the thermal ? Is it possible to replace only the thermal? Looked at the Orange Box and didn't find any.
Any help appreciated.
Not to be a pain in the can (pun) but I have a question on recessed can lights that I can't seem to address,
I have two Lightolier 1102P1 can lights on a switch. On of the lights has recently decided to go on strike. The other works perfectly.
Previous to this, the bulbs that I was placing in the (out) can would last for only a short period of time then blow with no warning. Recently the light would start to flicker then go out. After a period of time (with the switch off) the light would restart and be okay for several days then repeat the cycle ( flicker, out, restart). Now I have nothing . Working bulb from other light will not work in this can.
This can is thermally protected, is this indicative of the thermal protection causing it? The protector has three wires leading from it (white/ blue/black) and I would do wire for wire replacment. The light is in a open space in the kitchen ceiling ( between rafters, no insulation ).It is rated for 150 watt bulbs and we use 100, so I don't know if heat is a factor here. Do these thermals go bad with age?
I have power in the line up to the can wire connectors, but nothing at the light socket. Inside the socket, however, one of the connections looks like it was burnt. Could the assembly be shorted, or could a bad thermal cause this? Is it better to replace the whole socket or only the thermal ? Is it possible to replace only the thermal? Looked at the Orange Box and didn't find any.
Any help appreciated.
#2
09-18-03, 04:53 PM
First thing first, the blinking effect you describe (or, as it were the light shutting down then turning back on after a period of time) is a sign of excessive heat. Sounds like your thermals were doing their job nicely.
Next, you state the cans are rated for 150 watt bulbs. This leads me to believe that you have thermally protected cans that are not IC rated. Which leads me to ask if these cans are located in an insulated ceiling? If so, that's your problem. The insulation held the heat in your cans (and 100 watt lamps will produce a goodly amount of heat.) Despite the thermal protection, the prolonged use at near maximum temperature has caused heat damage to the light. If in fact there is no insulation in the ceiling, then you likely are experiencing an age related failure. All electrical requipment fails, it's just a matter of when.
Next, you state the cans are rated for 150 watt bulbs. This leads me to believe that you have thermally protected cans that are not IC rated. Which leads me to ask if these cans are located in an insulated ceiling? If so, that's your problem. The insulation held the heat in your cans (and 100 watt lamps will produce a goodly amount of heat.) Despite the thermal protection, the prolonged use at near maximum temperature has caused heat damage to the light. If in fact there is no insulation in the ceiling, then you likely are experiencing an age related failure. All electrical requipment fails, it's just a matter of when.
#3
09-18-03, 05:34 PM
Member
Sometimes your choice of trim further limits the maximum wattage of the can. E.g., eyeball trim limits you to 75 watts even if the can allows higher. Try a 65-watt bulb and see if it gets better.
