thermal safety of downlights

[recycleit]

hi, i am new to this forum and it seems like the place to get practical answers.

I recently purchased a house and have mains downlights in my hall, bathroom and kitchen.

In the loft i can see that these lights have been placed close to roof timbers, within 50mm horizontally close vertically to cross bracing, one is within 5mm or timber and now has a 1W led in it to reduce heat. I have also pulled away the wiring and insulation from around them.

Does anyone have any specs on minimum clear area around these lights? or is this covered in chapter 42 of BS7671 if so i would appreciate a little summary.

Also the old ceilling rose has been used in the loft as a junction box, it looks a bit better now i have secured it in place and put the top back on with a grommet to protect the feed TE. Above bathroom a chocolate block has been used, should i put this in a box and does the TE need to be clamped in a gland. The lights are looped together with 1.5mm TE which is a tight fit to get two into the connectors, is this normal?

Thanks for reading, i am from an engineering and motoring background so will try and help in those areas.

 

[Keith1978]

You normally find the minimum distance from joist in the instructions etc that are supplied with downlights, haven't read my regs book for some time but i'm sure theres nothing in there about it. 50mm seems like plenty but 5mm seems a bit close, it's not something i've ever worried about when fitting these lights unless the joist is right next to the hole.

I think as long as they're not totally enclosed your alright, the lamps get very hot on the back and insulation should be cleared away from them or it will burn.