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Question
Wet location incandescent light fixtures using “PAR 38” lamps are often used for landscape illumination. The light fixture is aimed upward toward a particular object, such as a palm tree. Because there is no lens on the light fixture, the disc around the lamp keeps water out of the lampholder. The disc comes off during re-lamping, and is seldom replaced. Are these types of light fixtures tested for water saturation, such as that caused by rain or sprinklering, without the disc?

Answer
These types of light fixtures are referred to as fixture fittings. If the fixture fittings were tested for locations within four feet of the ground, the fixture fitting would be marked, “Suitable (for mounting) within four feet of the ground.” (The words “for mounting” are optional.)

Fixture fittings with this marking are subject to sprinkler and rain tests as required by UL 1571, Incandescent Lighting Fixtures. They are tested without any disc or gasket that would be readily removed during relamping. Fixtures that do not have any means other than the disc to prevent water from entering should have an orientation marking, limiting the aiming positions, so that fixtures cannot be aimed straight up.

While the ultimate decision to replace or refurbish equipment is left up to the local code authority and building owner, they can ask UL to visit the flood site to evaluate the equipment that may have been affected, and discuss what can be done to repair, refurbish or replace water-damaged electrical equipment.

Question
How does UL list incandescent light fixtures, which are suitable for Type IC and Type Non-IC installations?

Answer
These fixtures are listed under the category “Incandescent Recessed Fixtures Convertible—Non-IC/IC (IFAH),” on page 31 of the 1998 UL General Information for Electrical Equipment Directory. These products may be installed in IC or Non-IC applications, using the same rough-in section or fixture housing.

All fixtures employ thermal protection devices to deactivate the lamps in the event installations were not followed correctly, and improper installation causes the lamp to overheat.

Question
We have found high hat fixtures with thermal cutouts that open during overheating. Often, the thermal cutout opens and cannot be reset, making the fixture unusable. Is there a replacement thermal cutout available, and can it be replaced in the field?

Answer
High hats are listed under the category, “Incandescent Recessed Fixtures (IEZX).” UL Guide Information is found on page 30 of the 1998 UL General Information for Electrical Equipment Directory, or in the 1998 UL Electrical Construction Equipment Directory, on page 178.

Incandescent recessed fixtures are required to have thermal protection unless fixtures are marked “Inherently Protected” or “For installation Only in Poured Concrete,” or they are intended for in ground or canopy installation. Thermal protection is usually achieved by mounting a Recognized Component thermal protector to the recessed can or junction box. Thermal protectors used in recessed incandescent fixtures are designed to automatically reset and are not intended to be replaced in the field. The mounting location and type of protector used is critical for preventing overheating as well as nuisance tripping.

Also, it should be noted that the UL Mark applies to the product as it was originally manufactured, or as it left the factory. Authorized use of the UL Mark is the manufacturer’s declaration that the product was manufactured in accordance with the applicable UL requirements. The UL listing does not cover subsequent alterations or repairs of a product unless UL has evaluated such changes and found them to be in compliance with the applicable UL requirements.

The special UL meetings for government inspectors provide us an excellent opportunity to ask questions of UL engineers and to clarify UL requirements. The "UL Question Corner" answers questions of general interest that are sent in from authorized governmental inspectors and we believe will have interest for many inspectors.

Please send us questions you may have that are of general interest, and we will have UL engineers answer them in a future issue. If space does not permit answering all questions received, we’ll see that you get an answer by letter. Send your questions to:

UL Question Corner - IAEI News
PO Box 830848
Richardson, TX 75083-0848

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