LED lights and loft insulation

Yorkie006

Hi, 
a quick question - do LED lights like these need anything (like a cover/cap) before loft insulation is put on top of them? They don't have any sticky-out bits on the back, they're basically just flat circles with some wires coming out. Don't know what brand/age they are.
Thanks!

CliveOfIndia

Strictly speaking, no.  They don't give off a lot of heat, and if you're talking about ordinary fibreglass insulation, that's fireproof and electrically inert anyway.

You might want to pop an old yoghurt tub or something over them - just to stop dust and whatnot falling into the fitting, and showering you with dust and spiders when you need to change the bulb.  But there is no actual reason why they need to be covered.

MarkUsl

I disagree, no downlight should come into contact with insulation unless they are specifcally IC rated (Insulation Contact). Regardless of the heat that LEDs give off, there is always an inherrent danger of electricity and combustable materials (OK, most insualtion is not combustable, but some is). Use downlight covers, plant pots, yoghurt pots! Better safe than sorry. 

marcia_

 I don't know about those specific lights but we had a fire in the attic of our rental where insulation had been put down over bathroom down lights. 

Alderbank

LEDs produce much less heat than the old halogens did, and I agree with others that there is no risk of fire.

However LEDs themselves are very sensitive to excess heat. I always make sure that there is plenty of free air circulation round the back of downlighters. If too-close insulation leads to a build up of heat you will find their life is drastically shortened.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pack-Thermahood-001-Downlighter-Spotlights/dp/B015OA1694/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.loIQPZlRBGlrRQ67slh45cc2Bx5YLpi9fn2FyCelRKeTz144PIYRRCCuR0NBtbrd-A1vBU6MwopP5ksr07-yRLpEo26Ew_p983WTj7JJu8PyOLFeyD6TUZNaKAwCHGUvENzGgPFJo8osKsaOVEogDwXNX5RpkKDaSADL0hMyqKtYBd5Pc5gmj_91XexpvQXnkuc5X3ck9ATbPuSHM0Lm5w.qbabpT8xCXyEY9mR2hXPqbCvLm7DC8X1RwCfmGNruEs&dib_tag=se&keywords=downlight+cover&qid=1755015278&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

£5 each for peace of mind, seems cheap to me.

Insulation might be fireproof but how much dust and what not will build up in it over the years? 

LEDs do still produce heat, they have a heat sink in the base, take one out that’s been on for a few hours and it might be surprising how hot it is.

bjorn_toby_wilde

Have you asked this on an electrician’s forum like the dedicated section of the Screwfix forum?

If you ask on here you’ll get opinions from mainly DIY’ers like me. On there you’ll get the regulations quoted to you pretty promptly.

Better safe than sorry 

grumpy_codger

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pack-Thermahood-001-Downlighter-Spotlights/dp/B015OA1694/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.loIQPZlRBGlrRQ67slh45cc2Bx5YLpi9fn2FyCelRKeTz144PIYRRCCuR0NBtbrd-A1vBU6MwopP5ksr07-yRLpEo26Ew_p983WTj7JJu8PyOLFeyD6TUZNaKAwCHGUvENzGgPFJo8osKsaOVEogDwXNX5RpkKDaSADL0hMyqKtYBd5Pc5gmj_91XexpvQXnkuc5X3ck9ATbPuSHM0Lm5w.qbabpT8xCXyEY9mR2hXPqbCvLm7DC8X1RwCfmGNruEs&dib_tag=se&keywords=downlight+cover&qid=1755015278&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

£5 each for peace of mind, seems cheap to me.

Insulation might be fireproof but how much dust and what not will build up in it over the years? 

LEDs do still produce heat, they have a heat sink in the base, take one out that’s been on for a few hours and it might be surprising how hot it is.

  £3, 20cm and dissipates heat (if any) much better.

  5 for a tenner.

grumpy_codger

bjorn_toby_wilde said:

... On there you’ll get the regulations quoted to you pretty promptly.

Better safe than sorry 

I don't think there are any special regulations for LEDs. As a results these regulations are huge overkill. Better to check the manufacturer's instructions, but they are likely to be overkill too.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

grumpy_codger said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pack-Thermahood-001-Downlighter-Spotlights/dp/B015OA1694/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.loIQPZlRBGlrRQ67slh45cc2Bx5YLpi9fn2FyCelRKeTz144PIYRRCCuR0NBtbrd-A1vBU6MwopP5ksr07-yRLpEo26Ew_p983WTj7JJu8PyOLFeyD6TUZNaKAwCHGUvENzGgPFJo8osKsaOVEogDwXNX5RpkKDaSADL0hMyqKtYBd5Pc5gmj_91XexpvQXnkuc5X3ck9ATbPuSHM0Lm5w.qbabpT8xCXyEY9mR2hXPqbCvLm7DC8X1RwCfmGNruEs&dib_tag=se&keywords=downlight+cover&qid=1755015278&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

£5 each for peace of mind, seems cheap to me.

Insulation might be fireproof but how much dust and what not will build up in it over the years? 

LEDs do still produce heat, they have a heat sink in the base, take one out that’s been on for a few hours and it might be surprising how hot it is.

  £3, 20cm and dissipates heat (if any) much better.

  5 for a tenner.

The hoods linked above have a cut out so you can place them over the cable and have the hood sitting flush with the ceiling surface, a couple of blobs of sealant or such will keep them firmly in place should someone wish. 

I know stainless steel doesn't conduct electricity particularly well but not sure if it's safe for such a use? 

grumpy_codger

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

I know stainless steel doesn't conduct electricity particularly well but not sure if it's safe for such a use? 

I can assure you, it does well enough

but not sure if it's safe for such a use? 

I don't see any danger.