WiremanWireman · Recessed light shuts off and comes back: troubleshooting for electricians · 2023 NEC ·
Recessed light shuts off and comes back
A can light that goes out after a while, then comes back on. Usually its thermal protector doing its job.
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How it works
Recessed housings made for incandescent and halogen lamps have a thermal protector that opens when the housing gets too hot, then closes again once it cools. So a light that goes out after it has been on a while and comes back on its own is usually overheating. The cause is a lamp bigger than the housing’s label allows, insulation packed around a housing that isn’t rated for contact with it, or the wrong trim for the lamp. Integrated LED downlights have their own thermal protection in the driver.
Every question and answer in this guide. Tap “Step by step” to walk through it.
- What’s in the can?
- Incandescent or halogen bulbTest: Read the housing label
- Bulb is over the maximum or the wrong typeBulb too large or wrong type for the housing
- Bulb matches the labelFrom the attic or above, is insulation packed against the housing?
- Non-IC housing with insulation on or near itInsulation around a non-IC housing
- IC rated, or insulation is well clearA worn thermal protector or wrong trim
- LED bulb or LED retrofit kitWhen does it go off?
- Regularly, after it has been on a whileLED driver overheating
- Randomly, or when something bumps or shakesA loose connection in the fixture or its box
- Integrated LED downlight (no can)When does it go off?
- Regularly, after it has been on a whileLED driver overheating
- Randomly, or when something bumps or shakesA loose connection in the fixture or its box
- Incandescent or halogen bulbTest: Read the housing label