Question on how to wright up LED lights that are in the ceiling. The lights replaced old can lights and the question is I put my FLIR detector on them from inside the attic and the controllers are hot. They have blown-in insulation.
Not sure if 86 to 103 degrees F counts as “hot.” I would consider that “warm” and if the lights are running, you would expect the lights and circuit to be warm. The lights could also be warmed due to convection from the interior(?) Were all the lights about the same temperature? If they are, that would lead me to think the temperature is normal. If one is hotter than the rest, perhaps there is a loose electrical connection or part defect that should be investigated further by a specialist (electrician). In that case, report that one of the lights is hotter than the rest and recommended further investigation.
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Or is it that one is running normal, and the others are deficient/defective/improperly wired???
Without actual knowledge from the manufacturer, and some proper testing, you have no clue what you have.
By the way… that’s a Klein Tool, NOT a Flir Tool.
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Either way, an indication that something is not working correctly.
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Were they IC rated? I agree with Brian, I consider those warm.
Helpful info here
https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Recessed_Light_Clearance_Distances.php
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Ok. Here is my take on your question. Keep in mind that the temperature required to ignite plain paper is 451 degrees F. The temps you indicated, I agree, would be considered slightly warm The temp in my hot tub is 103 Deg and that is comfortable for my old body. Surly not a fire hazard! JMHO, but there is no issue here. Cheers
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I do apologize for the FLIR statement. It’s a Thermal Imager.
BTW. “FLIR” is a military term that has stood generically for “forward-looking infrared.” Teledyne, Inc. was fortunate enough to be an early infrared camera-producing company and was able to institute “FLIR” as a brand name. So, technically, the Klein product is a FLIR instrument by military standards, but Teledyne might have something to say about it in terms of branding. Fortunately, “infrared camera” or “thermal imager” are available as the layman terms.
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I guess I ask the question wrong. but you seemed to understand what I was trying to ask. if there is insulation on these lights and controllers at 100+ degrees would there be concern for a fire hazard. Thank you.
Not a problem.
Especially when considering the average temperature in any given attic on a hot summer day.
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If the lights are IC rated there is nothing to report or be concerned with.
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Yep, I would agree with all these. If the fixture itself was not rated specific for LED then it could hold in some heat, but 103℉ is not “HOT” in my book. If an LED fixture gets too much juice then the light itself can run warmer than what the manufacturer may consider normal, but the only real issue is the light will burn out sooner.
Here is some info on LED lighting: Do LED Light Bulbs Get Hot? - LampHQ and How Hot Do LED Lights Get? - SelectSafety.net
Kind of like this:
The cardboard used to hold back the insulation at the soffit vent was in the 120℉ range.
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Agree with Kevin and Rob…
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Unless you have the specs from the manufacturer saying something different, I don’t see a problem. Heck, my Fenix LED flashlight gets hotter than that.
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Do you know what normal operating temperatures are to consider these having an issue? Without a baseline there is nothing to judge against.
Not in my opinion. Hot water pipes run through homes at 120 to 140 degrees every day without a problem.
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R you new to the use of infrared equipment?
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