varotene
Active member
I plan to put insulation(rockwool) to insulate the roof. It will cover half of the light socket base and slightly above the bulb.
See red light in last picture.
See red light in last picture.
Is it safe to put rockwool insulation over the old socket?
- Thread starter varotene
- Start date
Firebrick43
Well-known member
No you can cover a junction box.
NEC
314.29(A) In Buildings and Other Structures. Boxes and conduit bodies shall be installed so the contained wiring can be accessed without removing any part of the building or structure.
NEC
314.29(A) In Buildings and Other Structures. Boxes and conduit bodies shall be installed so the contained wiring can be accessed without removing any part of the building or structure.
Boogerman
Well-known member
Why don't you just buy a spreader bar and box, and install the fixture normally? That will eliminate the insulation concerns. Better yet, install a flat plate LED fixture in the new box, and have cooler, brighter, more reliable and safer (cooler and less breakable) light?
mv213
Well-known member
Yes, that will be a problem! Heat wil build up and create a fire hazard.
tinmanwpk
Well-known member
I would not even consider covering an existing light and socket with insulation. Do the correct thing and move it or get a new one like Boogerman suggested.
rlitman
Well-known member
Is that metal clad wire antique cloth insulated BX? If so, it REALLY doesn't like to get hot, but it also doesn't like being moved. What's the condition of the wires inside the box. If you see cloth covered insulation, then I'd suggest re-wiring it. If it's plastic, you should be safe to pull the box from the rafter and install it bulb facing down, screwing the nail flange to the rafter, rather than the top of the box.
If you do that, replace the bulb with an LED bulb that's all plastic, so you don't risk breaking glass overhead, or just replace the luminaire with an outlet that you can plug shop lights into (assuming it's switch controlled).
If you do that, replace the bulb with an LED bulb that's all plastic, so you don't risk breaking glass overhead, or just replace the luminaire with an outlet that you can plug shop lights into (assuming it's switch controlled).