Will heat from IC recessed lighting melt the plastic on wire?
IC fixtures do allow for exactly what the IC stands for, insulation contact, so just make sure you put insulation between the housing and the wire. Newer wires are rated for 90°c which is 194°f, and even the older wires that were rated for 60°c (140°f) shouldn’t be a problem with direct contact as a 75w bulb in that housing won’t be all that hot, yet there is no reason not to prevent the direct contact in the first place. Al Hey Pete. In regards to this “WARNING: Do not insulate all around the fixtures – doing that will trap heat inside and cause problems -” That is not a problem with IC fixtures, as they are designed for “i”nsulation “c”ontact – AKA – IC Perfectly acceptable to have insulation on and around these fixtures.
